Kayla is my better half. She might deny it, but it’s true. She is exactly what you would want in a life partner–fun, adventurous and uplifting. Kayla is the first born; the moment she came out, 31 minutes earlier than me, she was determined and alive, two qualities that still perfectly characterize her.
Kayla and I grew up busy, everyday filled with sports and homework that we did in the car. While I was clearly “called to other things,” Kayla excelled in softball, basketball and pretty much anything with a ball. Heartbreakingly, this reality ended when she tore her ACL and meniscus in her knee once, then again. She faced these challenges with grit like always; only now, I reflect on how hard that really must have been. The moment she attempted to return to softball after the first tear, she fell, tore it again and didn’t even cry. No, she was mad because she knew her life would never be the same. Years later, we are still active (yoga, barre, the occasional run), but simply cautious of our knees.
Her resilience has seen her through additional challenges including college, studying abroad and applying to med school. Kayla attended the University of Idaho, graduating with a major in Psychology, a minor in both Spanish and pre-health professions. Her bubbly personality shined in her sorority (social chair and junior panhellenic delegate) and her passion for mental health grew in her classes. She loved Idaho enough to stay and is now attending the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine in Boise, ID.
What you need to know about Kayla is: she loooooves babies and old people (don’t tell her but I think she will end up as a doctor helping one of them). Even more, she has a heart for anyone vulnerable and tries everyday to protect them. Also, she is a charismatic extrovert that people gravitate to because we all love to feel the way she fills the room with her laughter. She brings these qualities everywhere she goes, so I am excited that others get to bask in her light through this blog.
bold brookings & brews 