Lunch with Jeremiah

Jeremiah and Kami - Senior Year

I grew up in NC and by the time I was in the 9th grade, I had a very close group of friends. I had great friends at church and great friends at school (most of whom I'd gone to school with since the 1st grade). So, when my dad told us that we were moving to SC the summer after my 9th grade year, I was a little upset. No one wants to leave all their friends behind. But, as a pastor's kid, you understand that you go where God leads.

We moved the summer of 1992. I made some amazing friends at my new church. My first friend was Melissa Stepp. We don't see each other much now that we're all grown up, but I still love her dearly. I had all summer to spend with my new friends at church, but sadly, none of them went to my high school. So, 10th grade was difficult. I met some nice people, but made no real friends. Lunch was even harder. I usually ate in the hallway because I didn't know anyone that had the same lunch period as I did. I didn't care, though. It was a good time to get caught up on all my homework.

Well, a guy named Jeremiah Oliver and his family went to my church. Jeremiah and I were the same age and although we weren't that close, we saw each other a lot. He transferred to my school in the 11th grade. Finally, someone familiar! I can remember walking in to 3rd lunch (we had four different lunch periods) and seeing Jeremiah standing there. I was so excited. I said, "Wanna eat together?" He said, "Sure." Those were probably the last words we spoke to one another. We sat together every day that year and never said a word!! It may as well have been "silent lunch." HAHA Well, we may have made occasional small talk, but not that often. We rarely even made eye contact. To think about it now is hilarious to me. But just to have someone to sit with that you know and feel comfortable with was wonderful. Little did I know that ten years later he would marry my little sister and be the father of my niece and nephew.

Every time my family all gets together, we laugh and joke about my silent lunches with Jeremiah. Jeremiah and I are now very close and have absolutely no trouble talking with one another. He makes me laugh probably more than anyone else does. If I had only known in high school how funny he was, lunch would have been a little louder. It's funny how things change. I never really got that involved at school.....my dearest friends were in my youth group at church. Thanks to Facebook, we are all reconnecting and it's wonderful! Then, the best thing happened my senior year.....I had lunch with my little sister!! :)

Written by: Kami