The Perfect Date ~ 25 Years Later and Why This Is the Perfect Day

April 25th is the perfect date – for at least two reasons. First, in the 2000 film Miss Congeniality, Miss Rhode Island, Cheryl Frasier, played by actress Heather Burns, answered the question “Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date,” from Miss Universe Emcee Stan Fields, played by William Shatner. To the amusement of movie goers everywhere, she responded, “That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.” It is hilarious. You can see the clip below.

The Second and Best Reason Today is the Perfect Date

There is a second and better reason that today is the perfect date. On this date twenty-five years ago (April 25, 1999), my first daughter Kayla was born.  After many complications of her mom’s pregnancy, she was born premature in Springfield, Missouri. Her birth culminated a crazy week that started on the previous Thursday night. My wife was teaching a ladies’ Bible study when she began having contractions. The problem: I was in Nashville, Tennessee where my grandad was recovering from open heart surgery. Through a series of individuals, they finally got the message to me (pre-cellphone days) that she had gone into active labor. I immediately started trying to get back to Springfield. My wife was placed into Prenatal ICU where the doctors were able to hold Kayla’s birth off until Tuesday, April 25th. We can never thank Dr. Patricia Dix enough for her personal care, and all she did for Kayla and Kelly during those days.

Our perfect, sweet girl. I’ve never shared her picture before, but I will on her 25th birthday. It seems like a significant thing to share such a personal piece of our hearts.

She was perfect. Although very, very early and only three pounds, she arrived. As new parents, we could not be happier that she had arrived safely. Thankfully, both she and my wife were okay. Her birth lit a fire of love and compassion for her that has only grown deeper the past twenty-five years.

She did well. For two weeks, she responded just as the doctors were hoping. Things were tough at times; however, she was managing. Kelly continued to gain her strength back as well. But there was a day when we were contacted by the hospital and asked to come to the NICU as soon as we could. We arrived, and things were different. Kayla had gotten very sick from an infection which attacked her kidneys. That day began the fight of her life. She died several weeks later in our arms.

The children in 2018 at her grave for her birthday.

A Perfect Day that makes us long for an Even More Perfect Day

Kayla’s birthday makes us long for an even more perfect day in the future. When God decides, we will be reunited together for eternity. Similar as David (2 Sam 12:23), we long to be reunited as a family on the other side of this world. God in His compassion has made it possible for us to be together yet again.

Will Jesus come back soon to take us all together alive? We do not know, but for this reason and many others, we hope so.

Will Kelly and I join Kayla through death? Again, we do not know God’s plan.

But this we do know: after His resurrection and ascension, Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-6). His death on the cross was accepted by God as the payment for the sins of the world – the Just for the unjust, the Perfect for the imperfect, the Immortal for the mortal (1 Cor 15:1-58). Because of Jesus, death has been eternally defeated.

The first man, Adam, became a living person; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit… Death has been swallowed up in victory. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

Twenty-five Years of Anticipation

Today, on the most perfect day, the day my daughter was born twenty-five years ago, marks twenty-five years we have been anticipating the next time we can see her. Thankfully, she has missed the sin in the world, the sins of her dad, and the corruption that is in the world through lust. She has enjoyed Jesus, her great grandmothers, her pawpaw, and so many others from the Bible, history, and our own lives. I’ve asked a few people before they have died to give her her dad’s love. I hope they have.

Yet, as great as she has it, her mom, dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings, and others still hurt. We know she is perfect and has it perfect; however, we still miss her. But, we do not grieve as those with no hope. Instead, in our sadness, we hope. “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

Happy Birthday, sweetheart! Your mom and dad love you.