A 45th anniversary reflection on a parents' influence

This week is my parent’s 45^th wedding anniversary. As I reflect on this, I think about the influence my parents have had on me not only as a person, but also as a wife and a mom.

Kati & Randy Hendricks were married
April 12, 1969

I am truly blessed to have the parents I have. Since we don’t get to choose our parents when we are born, it amazes me how I was able to get the parents I have. They are truly wonderful and have taught me so much during my life.

Growing up my parents instilled in me a Christian faith, family, good morals and ethics and to do my best in everything I do.

I have always looked to my parents for guidance. Both of them are successful in different ways. My father is a successful businessman and my mother a successful stay at home mom. Anyone who is a stay at home mom knows it is one of the hardest jobs. My mom gave up her career to raise four kids.

I am the oldest of children. I have two sisters and a brother and. If you know my family, you know we are very close. We have lived in Pinellas County most of our lives. All of my sisters and brother are married and there are 18 of us including grandkids. We all live in Pinellas County and get together as a group at least once a month if not more.

My parents have always made family a priority in our lives. It started when we were growing up. We did almost everything together including attending each other’s soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball games and gymnastic meets to going on family vacations together, attending church and just eating dinner together.

It’s funny how I see my life repeating some of the things my parents did as I continue these same family values.

When my kids were born, I quit my career so I could stay at home with my kids. I felt that it was important for me to be with my girls and raise them. I was fortunate to be able to do this.

While I was growing up, my parents never asked me if I was going to college, they would say where are you going to college? I ask my kids that same question. My parents always encouraged me to reach for the stars and be whatever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do. They believed that if we tried hard enough we could accomplish anything we set are mind to. They were right. Sometimes we didn’t succeed at first and maybe not even a second or third time, but eventually we got our goals. I tell my children the same thing.

While growing up, I saw how my parents treated each other and that stuck with me in my relationship with my husband. My parents put God first in their marriage and than each other. My husband and I do the same. They also cared for one another and have always been each other’s best friend.

The example my parents have shown me and my siblings is an amazing one. I think parents today don’t realize just how much of an influence they have on their kids.

I hope to follow in my parents footsteps as a wife and mother living my life as a positive example for them.

Thank you Dad and Mom! Happy 45^th Anniversary!