Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

Dad thinks wife gave special needs son the world

You may notice that this post has a bit of a different voice than the ones you’re used to reading on Finding Ninee. My husband Robert wrote it, in response to this week’s Finish the Sentence Friday prompt of “Dear Mom…”

Dads are awesome via finding ninee

—  From a dad, who thinks his wife gave his special needs son the world

The clock at Rose Bowl reads 15 seconds. It is the 4th Quarter of the BCS Championship game between Alabama and Tennessee. The stadium is both shaking and silent  with half the crowd of 100,000 fans  chanting “Defense”, Defense!”  The other half is quiet in anticipation of the touchdown that would win the game.

There are no timeouts.

In the crowd stands an elderly couple in their sixties wearing pullovers with a “T” emblazoned on their chests, their eyes glued to the field below.  The anxiety shows on their faces. Their pride and joy is on the 15 yard line.

The quarterback, a strapping 6’ 4” lad with ice-blue eyes and demeanor to match, brings his team to the line.  He directs the slot receiver to the other side of the formation with three receivers on the other side. The first team All-American signal-caller, confident the play will work, barks the cadence.  The ball is snapped.  The quarterback takes the snap and fakes the handoff to a diving running back. The fake freezes the safety….

The signal-caller for the title waits in the corner of the end zone.  He brings the ball up to release the pass…

The future first-round draft-pick with victory a second away never throws that pass. Instead, he crashes to the turf as another 6’ 4” lad with ice-blue eyes tackles the stunned signal-caller who fumbles the ball.

Tennessee’s All-American defensive end Tucker Campbell raises his fists to the sky in celebration. He looks into the crowd, searching for the elderly couple, and, especially his Mom, who always believed in him. He points at his Mom, Kristi, and silently mouths a thank you to the woman who helped him overcome so much.

Dad just hopes his wife will let him live in the new house Tucker will buy his mother after next May’s NFL draft.

“Ground Control to Major Tucker”….”Ground Control to Major Tucker…”

”This is Major Tucker…go ahead, over.”

“Slow to 100,000 kilometers per hour…bring  the ship to 050 degrees.”

Major Tucker complies. His ship, the latest craft named Enterprise, eases into orbit . The planet below is breathtaking. Having spent the last six months en route and the last three years in training, Major Tucker stares down at the red dusty planet below. The first-manned mission to Mars.

His eyes mist over a little as he reaches into his uniform pocket, retrieving a personal communication device. The device lights up and he opens the image of a smiling woman. The image is not a gorgeous girlfriend, or his stunning  spouse, but a woman in her late sixties, who is the most beautiful person in his world.

He mutters a thank you… and— I love you Mom. For, without his mother, he would never have overcome a severe  speech delay and what some doctors said was autism to graduate college with honors, receive  a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, gone to flight school, and been accepted into a revitalized space program.

Dad, watching the event with the rest of the world, sees his long-time spouse’s jubilation. He just hopes her overwhelming joy will last and keep him out of the dog house for at least few days…ah maybe not.

The man rushes his wife into the entrance of the hospital.  She braces for the next contraction as they speed to the delivery room.

Eleven  hours  later, through tears and joy….a new life enters the world. The man looks in awe at the little person and instantly falls in love.

The couple had waited to name the baby, a girl, but now are sure and decide on Kristi, after his mother.

The cycle begins anew….He just hopes he can give his daughter the world like his Mom gave to him.

Finish the Sentence Friday

This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. The sentence is “Dear Mom…”  Kerri, from Undiagnosed, but Okay (mom to Tucker’s future prom date and more) thought of this week’s sentence, and is therefore your happy co-host. Please go show her some extra love.

Hosts:
Janine: Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Kate: Can I get another bottle of whine?
Stephanie: Mommy, for Real
Me (Kristi): 
Finding Ninee




  • Dana - Damn Robert, that was even better than a post from Kristi! And that is saying A LOT. You made me cry. This is the best Mother’s Day gift a mom and wife could ask for – just beautiful. But you should get Kristi something pretty too 😉May 8, 2014 – 10:08 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hey wait! Even better than mine? Fine. Maybe. But I agree – it’s an amazing Mother’s Day gift and yes, he should still get me something pretty. 😉May 9, 2014 – 1:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Oh wow…I’m kind of speechless over here. Looks like you’ve already got a fabulous mom’s day gift – a beautiful post written by your loving husband. 🙂 However, if he still wants to make you breakfast in bed, buy you flowers, and insist that you spend a few hours to yourself on Sunday, I’m all for that too! Seriously though, never stop dreaming for that gorgeous son of yours. When I watch mine play high school basketball – a team sport that we never thought he could play — I know that dreams for and about our kids can come true.May 8, 2014 – 10:10 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Emily,
      I love that Big Dude plays high school basketball. He’s an inspiration to me (as are you, with your wise words that Robert should also give me some time alone this Mother’s Day). xxMay 9, 2014 – 1:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Kristi, I’m officially in love with your husband. Don’t tell David. But seriously in love with a man who thinks his wife is his hero. His and his sons and gets that without you it wouldn’t be perfect. Adore this, him, you, Tucker just everything. Robert hit it out of the park for this Mother’s Day present. Makes up for not putting the seat down for sure.May 8, 2014 – 10:19 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - HAHA Kerri! I won’t tell David. You should make him write a post for you. I’ve only been asking Robert to write one since um, December 2013? And yeah, Robert gets a pass on the toilet seat not being down this weekend for sure. Thanks, you.May 9, 2014 – 1:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Definitely have to agree with Robert on this one and say you are the best mom to Tucker and I know in the end he will let you know in his own way that he knows this, too. Beautiful and love that Robert wrote this here for you tonight. Happy Mother’s Day, Kristi!May 8, 2014 – 10:22 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw, thanks, Janine! I love that Robert wrote this for me, too. Happy Mother’s Day to you, too, friend! I hope your weekend is amazing.May 9, 2014 – 1:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Anna Fitfunner - Awwww….so great to see how in tune your hubby is with both you and your son! It’s also really inspiring to see your husband’s vision for his son and his family! Have a great Mom’s Day!May 8, 2014 – 10:25 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Anna! I enjoyed seeing his vision for Tucker, too. Happy Mom’s day! 😀May 9, 2014 – 1:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Deb @ Urban Moo Cow - Omg crying. You two were definitely made for one another. I can’t wait to see what tucker does!May 8, 2014 – 10:47 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw, thanks, Deb. I can’t see what Tucker does either! Happy Mother’s Day!May 9, 2014 – 1:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Kelly L McKenzie - Well this is quite the post! Ya hit it right out of the park. Nicely done buddy. Oh how I wish I could push the fast forward button and zip forward to see which one of the three scenarios will come true. Here’s hoping they all do! Please pass on my very good wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day to Tucker’s mom.May 8, 2014 – 10:53 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I agree that he hit it out of the park, Kelly! He’s going to love all these comments. And I hope your Mother’s Day is amazing. I look forward to seeing what Tucker does, but hope it doesn’t speed by as quickly as the last almost five years has!May 9, 2014 – 1:54 pmReplyCancel

  • Bianca @ Rant Rave Crave - Your husband is quite the writer! This post may have gotten me misty eyed.May 9, 2014 – 12:32 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw, thanks, Bianca. I’m sure he’ll appreciate your kind words. Possibly, even rub them in my face. Kidding! sortof…May 9, 2014 – 1:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awwwwwww Tucker’s Dad! I LOVED this!! Love seeing your insight into Tucker’s future with all the hopes and dreams of two loving parents. You guys are wonderful! This was super sweet. I love that Tucker is going to be 6’4. He already looks quite tall for his age 😉 Let’s pretend ya’ll are sixty and I’m still 50 something. Can I get tickets to the game?May 9, 2014 – 6:46 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I loved it too, Kenya! And seeing Robert’s hopes for Tucker’s future is just plain old sweet. And he is SO tall for his age! He’s HUGE. People always think he’s six or seven (he’ll be five this summer). And yes to getting tickets to the game! 😀May 9, 2014 – 2:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Katia - It’s a totally different voice but somehow also the same. I have to agree with Deb and everyone else. What a beautiful and uplifting love letter to Tucker and his mom! It’s so wonderful to meet your husband and know that you are both in such great loving hands. And so is Tucker.xoMay 9, 2014 – 7:24 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Katia. I’m so glad he finally agreed to do a guest post!! He wrote it really quickly, too, which made me question my skills.May 9, 2014 – 2:03 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzy - Muddle-Headed Mamma - Wow, this just gave me goosebumps! Looks like both Tucker’s parents are talented writers. Happy Mother’s Day for Sunday, Kristi!May 9, 2014 – 8:19 amReplyCancel

  • Sarah - Wow, Robert, you just made me tear up. Excellent post!May 9, 2014 – 8:49 amReplyCancel

  • That Girl Ryan - How did you get your husband to write a post? I’m jealous, this is beautiful. He should think about becoming a blogger himself. Now, I’m expecting a VLOG from Tucker. Happy Mother’s Day to you!May 9, 2014 – 9:04 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Girl Ryan, I asked him to write a post like a year and 1/2 ago, when my blog was new. He finally got around to it when I told him a month ago that this was the sentence. Also? I told him it was going live last Thursday. You know, in case. He’s too addicted to his video games to blog. But the VLOG from Tucker – now THAT would be awesome!!May 9, 2014 – 2:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ Golden Spoons - I would type some profound comment if I could see the keyboard through my tears. Simply beautiful!May 9, 2014 – 9:09 amReplyCancel

  • Jean - I can’t see the keyboard… I have something in my eye…

    Kristi, what a lucky boy your son is to have two talented parents who care so much for him and clearly, so much for each other. Your husband did a fantastic job.May 9, 2014 – 9:20 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Jean, I agree that Robert did an amazing job and thank you so very much!! We’re lucky to have such a wonderful little boy!May 9, 2014 – 2:13 pmReplyCancel

  • karen - I thought you made me cry…now I am sobbing beyond words…I love your husband’s post…what a great man, husband, and father.May 9, 2014 – 9:30 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Sorry Karen. I love his post, too, and agree that he’s a great father and husband!May 9, 2014 – 2:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie - What a lovely gift. It’s clear that you are treasured by your family.May 9, 2014 – 10:47 amReplyCancel

  • christine - Why’d you have to go and make me cry?? Well done, Robert. Methinks you’re getting lucky one day soon. 🙂May 9, 2014 – 11:06 amReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Well. It looks like you both are brilliant writers/thinkers!
    This kid. This Tucker. He’s got it MADE.
    And he has a pretty awesome photographer too. (I hope!)May 9, 2014 – 1:19 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Tamara,
      Yeah, this kid. Tucker’s definitely got a lot of love and is going to have the best photographer in the world in a short month!!!May 9, 2014 – 2:16 pmReplyCancel

  • Marcia @ Menopausal Mother - I have goose bumps and tears after reading this. More beautiful than I can say. Kristi, you are one very lucky mother and wife. Happy Mother’s day, my friend. XOMay 9, 2014 – 8:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Awe, Marcia. Thank you. He’s not very perfect most of the time but I agree that he nailed this, and happy Mother’s Day to you, too, my awesome pal.May 9, 2014 – 10:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Sandy Ramsey - Kristi, you should have Robert hijack your blog more often! That was simply incredible. I knew from the title it would be touching but I had no idea…
    I am crying happy tears. This is the most beautiful Mother’s Day tribute. You are so blessed as a wife and mom!
    Tell Robert thank you and I for one am with him 100%. You are the best! XOXOMay 10, 2014 – 6:23 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks Sandy! And I would so have him hijack Finding Ninee more often but have been asking him FOREVER to write one so it’ll probably be another year before I get another. Still though, I agree that he rocks and that it’s an awesome Mother’s Day present.May 10, 2014 – 10:09 amReplyCancel

  • Yvonne - Wow.
    That’s all I really want to say, but it seems a bit short, so I’ll say I agree with you Robert, that Kristi is an awesome mom.May 10, 2014 – 6:22 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw, Yvonne. Not sure about being an awesome mom, but my husband (and my son hopefully) thinking that I am one is enough for me. thanks so much!May 10, 2014 – 10:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Misty - wait a minute while i blink the tears away! that was just awesome to read!May 11, 2014 – 7:09 amReplyCancel

  • Natalie D - Oh man, I love your husband. Can I please adopt him?
    Happy Mother’s Day, Kristi. You are such an inspiration to me.May 11, 2014 – 12:44 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Natalie,
      He’s pretty great MOST of the time. 😉
      And awww! You’re an amazing inspiration to ME, so thank you so much. I hope you had an amazing weekend!May 12, 2014 – 6:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Brittnei - Oh my goodness! I loved the football section! I’m a big Dallas Cowboy fan with my husband. I simply love how your hubby believes that you have done so much for Tucker. I think you have, too. I feel like I know you have by what I read on here. I pray that I will get the opportunity to see how wonderful he becomes as an adult! I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful day!May 11, 2014 – 7:19 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I loved the football section, too, Brittnei! But um Dallas? I’m from Denver. I hope we can still be friends. Thank you so much for your prayers, and for being positive about Tucker’s future. I’m positive, too, but it’s all really scary, knowing that he may be bullied and made fun of… or feel badly about himself. I hope that he can feel the love around him. Always. And thank you.May 16, 2014 – 11:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Angel The Alien - That is so sweet! But Tucker sure is going to be busy, what with being an astronaut and a football player, and caring for a family as well! 😉May 11, 2014 – 9:41 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - XO Angel. Tucker might be very busy. But then again, so are you right? I mean TEACHING! Awesome. Like you.May 16, 2014 – 11:33 pmReplyCancel

  • Courtney Conover - This was amazing, Robert, on so many levels. First and foremost, I see that you, much like your lovely wife, have a way with words. (Frankly, you had me at the first sentence, right out the gate, seeing as though my husband is a former NFL player, and I actually posted about his draft day experience last Friday…)

    Here’s the thing: Screw odds. Tucker has what it takes to knock your guys’ socks off, blow expectations out of the water, and is poised to do big things in this world. How can it be any different with parents like you and Kristi?

    Congrats on a magnificent post.May 12, 2014 – 10:35 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Courtney, I’m behind but hubs will be really excited to read your post about your husband’s draft day experience. I mentioned it to him when I read it but then he was out of town… now, he’s back though. And YAY for your words “SCREW ODDS” thank you for that. Here’s to both of our little men screwing the odds!May 16, 2014 – 11:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Lady Lilith - How touching and inspiring.May 13, 2014 – 9:28 amReplyCancel

  • Rabia @TheLiebers - What a sweet post from an awesome dad!! You all are lucky to have each other!! 🙂May 14, 2014 – 4:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Caroline - aw <3May 15, 2014 – 4:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Sara - SO sweet. Love it.May 26, 2014 – 1:05 pmReplyCancel

  • Kimberly H. Smith - OMG Kristi and Robert! This is so beautiful. I have tears in my eyes. I was right there for the whole ride. Awesome. Thank you for sharing on Traffic Jam Weekend. #trafficjamweekendJune 21, 2014 – 3:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Tarana - This is so beautiful! Your husband should write more often 🙂October 2, 2014 – 7:54 amReplyCancel

  • Meredith - So sweet! That husband of yours is a keeper for sure. Loved it!October 2, 2014 – 4:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristina Grum - I love this! We’ve talked about Matt writing for me but he’s never done it. I love the way your husband structured these three possibilities.October 2, 2014 – 10:34 pmReplyCancel

  • Jhanis - I had goosebumps! What a lovely post Kristi! He’s definitely for keeps! 🙂October 3, 2014 – 3:48 amReplyCancel

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