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Kayla's Only Heart

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Kayla's Only Heart

Tag Archives: marriage

Book Review: Stay with Me

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in books, Uncategorized

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Ayobami Adebayo, book club, book review, bookish, books, culture, expectations, family, hope, love, marriage, Modern Mrs. Darcy, Stay with Me, understanding

The Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club has read Stay with Me this year, and we have had the pleasure of author Ayobami Adebayo joining us for our discussion. This book packs on weight as it gives readers a glimpse into the depths of another culture. It follows couple Yejide and Akin as they navigate the familial and societal pressures of not having children. As the story progresses, they each experience heartache as they fall under the expectations surrounding them and manipulate what they tell themselves about their fates and flaws.

This novels enlightens readers on the expectations of family that sometimes leads to polygamy in Northern African and Middle Eastern cultures and the weight of those decisions on the wives and husbands involved. It also shows the struggle of Sickle Cell Disease, a common health issue in Nigeria and one that affects the author. The characters give an authentic voice to these issues and remind readers they have more complexity than they appear. Universal themes of heartbreak, family tensions, marriage hopes and health obstacles give a relatability to a seemingly vastly different culture.

The characters, as many of us do in real life, must adjust their expectations of their lives and marriages as well as filter the advice they receive through what they know themselves. Yejide eventually learns that her childlessness actually stems from her husband rather than herself. Yet she didn’t want to believe her husband had flaws, especially since he didn’t voice them himself. We see the realization of Akin’s observation early in the book that “even when it’s in a thousand pieces around your feet, that doesn’t mean it’s no longer love.” Their love and lives bend as they experience loss and setback, but they still maintain a certain hope.

I really appreciate this book. The characters demonstrate a lot of depth, and their situations enlightened me to more human experiences. Adebayo clearly writes about Nigeria and Sickle Cell Disease with authority, and she shares her knowledge and wisdom so we can gain a greater understanding of those topics. It gives me more insight into the background of some of the students I teach. I recommend this book as a good story as well as a tool for learning.

What What What Wedding

27 Sunday Oct 2013

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in Journal, Photography

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brother, clothes, family, flowers, Kansas City, maid of honor, marriage, mother, party, photography, slumber party, wedding, wedding reception

As of last weekend, my mom and step-dad are married! I have a few photos I managed to snap throughout the course of the events.

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My mom and I looked snazzy in our sweaters at the meet the families gathering she hosted.

My mom and I looked snazzy in our sweaters at the meet the families gathering she hosted.

My brother and I had our own little slumber party the night before the wedding. Coincidentally, we matched in our blue v-necks.

My brother and I had our own little slumber party the night before the wedding. Coincidentally, we matched in our blue v-necks.

Then the next day we dressed up to be maid of honor and best man at the ceremony.

Then the next day we dressed up to be maid of honor and best man at the ceremony.

I was quadruple fisting by the end of the reception. I might be able to have one cup per time someone referred to my brother as my date too.

I was quadruple fisting by the end of the reception. I might be able to have one cup per time someone referred to my brother as my date too.

The bride and groom fed each other the cake very cleanly.

The bride and groom fed each other the cake very cleanly.

I got one last picture with the beautiful bride before she departed on her honeymoon with her sweetie.

I got one last picture with the beautiful bride before she departed on her honeymoon with her sweetie.

I got to bring home my beautiful bouquet to enjoy the rest of the week as I recalled all the new memories.

I got to bring home my beautiful bouquet to enjoy the rest of the week as I recalled all the new memories.

Thus begins my fall of holiday and fun festivities. I got to be the maid of honor at my mom’s wedding right after my cousin requested I be a bridesmaid at her wedding when she announced her engagement to me recently. I love all the wedding bliss surrounding me!

My next exciting event is the Justin Timberlake concert with my honey in just over three weeks!

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You can't make advances if you don't take chances. These posts share my perspectives of my journey as I step forward, walking in the Light.

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