Welded Together

Our story began long before we ever knew what life would ask of us. Two high school kids — me, Kasey, and him, Jerad — falling in love in the kind of simple, sweet way that only teenagers KANN.

We were young, hopeful, and clueless about the beautiful, difficult, extraordinary life we were about to build together.

Over the years, we didn’t just grow side by side — we grew together. We built a family, welcoming three beautiful children who became the heart of everything we did. We built a home filled with noise, laughter, and the chaos that only comes from love.

We also built a career together — literally.

For the last 17 years, Jerad has worked as a welder, and I’ve been right there beside him as his helper. Day after day, shoulder to shoulder, sparks flying, metal burning, and us moving like two pieces that have always fit.

Not everyone gets the blessing of working with their soulmate, of living and working as partners in every sense of the word. But we did. And we still do because we KANN!

And then life challenged us in a way we never could’ve imagined.

Stage 3 breast cancer.

A diagnosis that shakes your world, steals your breath, and rearranges your priorities in an instant.

But even in that hardest chapter, I was never alone. Jerad held my hand through fear, through pain, through every uncertain moment. He became my strength when mine was slipping. He became my calm when everything felt terrifying.

He became the proof that love — real love — doesn’t run from the storm; it stands in it with you and even in the storms of life it KANN grow deeper and stronger then you could ever imagine!

Our children became my motivation. Our marriage became my anchor. Our faith in each other carried me through every treatment, every tear, every victory.

And when I look back, I see not just the battle, but the love that made it survivable. and with love, strength and grit you Kann survive the storms of life!

After everything, we didn’t just return to life — we returned stronger. Our bond deeper. Our gratitude sharper. Our love more intentional knowing that together we KANN survive and thrive this crazy life we have been blessed with!

Thirty-four years later, I look at Jerad and still see the boy I fell in love with in high school — but now I also see the man who welded our life together with loyalty, tenderness, humor, strength, and unshakeable devotion.

And I see myself, not the same girl he met, but a woman who survived, who fought, who lived, who KANN survive and come out stronger— because we faced every chapter side by side.

This is our love story:

A teenage spark that became a lifelong fire.

A marriage built on faith, grit, laughter, and teamwork.

A family that grew from our hearts.

A battle we faced together.

A love that didn’t just last — it thrived.

And after 34 years, I still choose him.

Every day. Every season. Every version of ourselves.

Our story isn’t perfect — but it’s ours.

And it’s beautiful. I give God all the glory for this beautiful life He has blessed me with. Through laughter and tears joy and heartache His mercy and grace has given me the will to know I Kann! ❤️🙏❤️