As I sit here writing this recap of the last 28 years, I am watching a live video of downtown San Diego and listening to JACK FM. Isn’t technology amazing? I say that because I am actually in Dothan, Alabama, where I have lived now for the last 12 years.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, but God had a funny sense of humor when it came to my plan.

 After graduation, I attended SDSU and earned my BSN in Nursing. I joined the Navy as a navy nurse and was stationed at Balboa Naval Hospital. After only a month, the new intern on my orthopedic floor introduced himself to me as “Jim.” I said, “My name is Kim,” to which he replied, “Wow, Kim and Jim, that rhymes.” I thought, “Oh my God…:

Eight months later we were married, and 4 months later he left me for an aircraft carrier. He did return safely one year later and we remained in San Diego for 10 years. I resigned from the Navy and worked as a home health nurse and school nurse, and raised our two children.

 In 1994, my husband’s Navy commitment was over and we relocated to a small town in southeast Alabama on the requests of many of his partners. Wow, what a culture shock for this Southern California girl! Surprisingly though, we have survived. The people are friendly, the traffic is non-existent, but the mosquitoes and cockroaches are as big as my Chihuahua, Belle.

 We have all accomplished a lot while doing our time here. I have run five marathons, been in two bodybuilding contests, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Alabama (roll tide). Currently I am nursing faculty at the local college, and pursing my doctorate in Education Technology at UA. My son, Ryan (20) is a sophomore at Auburn University (War Eagle), and my daughter, Sara (17) is a junior in high school with plans to attend either USD or NYU (“anywhere but Alabama mom!”) Jim is a practicing anesthesiologist, medical director of the OR at the regional medical center, and a golf pro wanna-be. Thankfully, hurricane season has been light this year, and we are expecting our first Starbucks in March…life is good.

 I hope this finds everyone healthy, happy, and looking forward to an amazing 30-year reunion. See ya’ll real soon.

(Profile written September 2006)

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