I met this family before they were a family over ten years ago. Mark, Karen and I met while serving in the Peace Corps in Madagascar. I will save the crazy Peace Corps stories for another post, but I let me tell you a little about Mark and Karen.
They are two of the most easygoing, giving, fun and inspiring people I know. They took me under their wings when I first arrived at my Peace Corps post. They showed me the way and supported me through the ups and the downs. Under their guidance we lead an overnight camping trip with local kids, backpacked through some off the beaten path terrain, hosted a weekly radio show, and taught in the local schools. These are just a few of the things that filled our days.
Mark and Karen were a couple when I met them and I always knew they were going to be together forever. I thought if they could have a healthy relationship while serving in the Peace Corps, they definitely could survive marriage.
When I applied for Peace Corps, the slogan was, “ Peace Corps: The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love.” Now that Mark and Karen are parents, they have a different take on that slogan. They tell me parenthood is, “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love.”
After spending the afternoon with them and their children Aster and Bodhi, I must say they make parenthood look just as easy as they made Peace Corps look. At ages three and one their children are lucky to have two amazing parents who are already introducing them to travel, adventure and living life to the fullest.
Thanks for inviting me to spend the afternoon with your family, I had a blast.
