Purple Stride

Katie has been going to the Purple Stride walk in Jacksonville every single year since her father passed in 2012 of pancreatic cancer. And every year she invites me but I always seem to have plans that I can't get out of. But this year I didn't have anything going on on that day and I immediately registered under her family's group MemoraBill as soon as she gave me the information back in July. I was pumped to do more than donate. It was awesome to be apart of an event that means so much to Katie and her family. 

I woke up incredibly early and was out the door headed for Deland by 6:30 am. When I pulled up at Katie's house she and the girls were already waiting outside. We all jumped in her car and were on our way! But first we had to make a coffee stop at the Starbucks in Palm Coast. We got to Jacksonville around 9ish. We had no trouble parking for the event which she said can be a nightmare sometimes. 

The rest of Katie's family hadn't arrived yet so we went ahead and signed in. They gave us our wristbands and t-shirts. From there we hit up each booth. There was of course the snack booth filled with water and bananas and donuts oh my! Then there was the face painting. Both Kierce and Aubrie got butterflies. We also signed the big banner with love for those that are no longer here. 

We met up with Katie's family. Some I had already met during the girls birthday parties, Katie and Tommy's wedding, and other family gatherings but others I had just met for the first time. Everyone was just the absolute sweetest. She really has the best family (and that was only a small percentage). I definitely felt like an honorary Murray for the day. The walk was pushed back 30 minutes due to the tide being so high. We all took the time to lather up with sunscreen (didn't get burned one bit!) and then just waited it out in the shade. It was so hot. SO SO HOT. I can't put into words how miserable the heat was. But none of us let it get us down. 

When the walk finally started Aubrie and Kierce opted to go with Katie's uncle and cousin since they would be running the event. Katie was so proud (and the rest of us too)! Katie and I walked the 5K. It was hot (I can't say it enough) but the ocean breeze really helped! I loved having a beautiful beach as the backdrop. The events I've been to are always in a park or in the middle of the city. I really enjoyed this location so much. 

Katie and were out of breath towards the end. Walking in sand that far is no joke! But we kept on keeping on. There were a few crowds at the end cheering everyone on so we of course had to run through them screaming in support. 

The minute it was over both Katie and I reached our entire forearms into a tub of ice just to find some water. It didn't even phase me. I was so hot that I welcomed the freezing temperatures for those few seconds. 

Immediately after the 5K we met up with Katie's family for lunch at the 3rd Street Diner. It was the cutest place. I loved the retro (possibly original?) decor and feel it had going on. We all scarfed down our food (especially those delicious fries). 

On our way back we stopped by Katie's grandparent's house in St. Augustine to say a quick hello and to tell them how the 5K went. They are the cutest couple! I also am now BFFs with their dog. I hope Katie doesn't mind sharing me because Fink and I might have to get friendship bracelets. Ha! I'm so glad Katie got to see them especially since I know she doesn't get to too often. 

Then we stopped by Tommy's work to drop off food. That was entertaining in itself since Katie drove the wrong direction around the parking lot. 

We finally made it back to Katie's house but I still had to drive all the way back to my house. WAH. We were all dreaming of showers and comfy beds on the way home because it was an exhausting day but in the best possible way. 

I'm so glad I finally got to experience this with her and her family. I unfortunately have a few close friends that have lost their dads to pancreatic cancer so it certainly hits close to home. But I'm glad these kind of events exist in bringing families together and raising money and awareness for this awful cancer. 

I know for a fact her dad was one of the greats.

And I also know he'd be so proud of her. 

Here's a blurb from a 2012 blog post of mine. Still to this day I think of Katie's dad, Bill, any time I see that Jackie Robinson quote. 

As Katie and her family (Kierce even brought the dinosaur out with her - ha!) walked out into the sanctuary, I immediately just wanted to hug every single one of them. My heart ached for them and their loss. I sat there in that church and listened to Mr. Murray's Principal, past student, and family speak about the man he was. The man he will always be to everyone. They spoke of his passion for teaching, his love of baseball, and his amazing sense of humor. A few people quoted Jackie Robison - "A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives." That quote has really stayed with me these past few days and I imagine it will be one of those quotes that just seem to stick forever. The service was beautiful, as was the reception. Times like these are always hard and there just aren't words that can take that kind of pain away but it's always comforting to know you have support and love. And the Murrays certainly have a lot of both.