I first met Kareena in May of 2013. Jeanell and I still lived in Elwood at the time, but were in Grantsville for Devin's graduation. As we were taking pictures afterward, Devin suddenly asked Jeanell if she could take take his picture with this girl who had suddenly materialized beside him. That was the first time we met. It's that strange phenomenon where I can hardly believe that was more than 11 years ago, but at the same time, it feels that Kareena has always been a part of our family.
Kareena fits right in in that she has the same perfectionism and "go big or go home" mentality that Jeanell and Carol have. Her home is always beautifully decorated, she entertains often and always prepares a beautiful spread when she does, and her makeup is always perfect. I love that she throws herself into being a part of our family and is always willing to help prepare for and take part in family events. As just a couple of examples, she did a makeup tutorial for the Soelberg Sisters (Carol and her sisters) and she learned how to make Grandma (Barbara) Jefferies potato salad and makes it as well as anyone.
Kareena is driven and works hard to be successful. She graduated from the U in accounting, then earned a Masters of Accounting from SUU (while working), and is now a CPA. Besides being driven and successful herself, I love that she challenges Devin and pushes him to be the best version of himself as well. (Devin also graduated from the U in accounting and earned a Masters of Accounting from SUU).
I've never been much of a handyman, but Kareena's dad (Ray) is and with Kareena's encouragement and Ray's guidance, Devin has been able to complete projects that I would never take on.
Kareena is tough and will speak up when she doesn't feel a business is handling a situation correctly. On one occasion we were planning to eat at Olive Garden before going to a play. We had called ahead and been told that we could get right in, but when we got there, they told us there was a wait. Kareena went after them and told them that was unacceptable and that we were going to go somewhere else (which we did). But my favorite part of the story is getting a text saying that our table was ready before we even got out to the car to go somewhere else. We still left.
On our recent trip to Cabo, there was one restaurant at the resort that we hadn't yet been to yet, but wanted to (the steak house Toro). We went to get on the list a couple of hours before it was supposed to close but they told us we wouldn't be able to get in before they closed. It was the last chance we'd have to eat there so Kareena went and (nicely) talked to the resort management and a half hour later we were seated at Toro.
I love that Kareena is always game and up for anything. She's been on a road trip to Phoenix with us to the Fiesta Bowl, attends and is passionate about musical theater the way we are. She'll participate in family karaoke. Last year, we were doing karaoke on my birthday and I told Jeanell and each of the kids they needed to pick a song to sing with me (that was my birthday wish). Kareena could have easily just said "pass" but she not only participated, she picked a great song (Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You", which she knows I'm a fan of).
Most of all, I love how Kareena loves and takes care of her little family. She's supportive of Devin and encourages him in all that he does. And she's a loving and attentive fur mama to their little Bella.
Grateful to Devin for bringing Kareena into my life. I love you Kareena.
