THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY | A Few Splinters Later....

OSWEGO COUPLE FACING LIFE & LOVE TOGETHER HAND IN HAND

OSWEGO–Rebecca and Jeff met in jail in 1997! Jeff was Deputy at the DuPage County Jail and Rebecca was working there as a nurse. Jeff ironically seemed to get daily splinters in his hand that needed to be removed by Rebecca. A few splinters later, they married in 2002 at the Oswego Prairie Methodist Church, now Wheatland Salem.

“We were the first wedding they had hosted in 15 years,” Rebecca shares. “My special memory was our daughter Olivia pulling her little sister, Isabelle down the aisle, in a decorated radio flyer wagon; it was so special having both of them involved.”

16 years and 4 kids later, they have had many ups, but no matter what life throws at them, they face it together, united and strong, sharing the same underlying values. They will be the first to admit they drive each other nuts, but would have it no other way. They work together to share in the household chores and remain available for the kids’ activities.

Jeff still works for the DuPage County Sheriff's Department; and as an adjunct professor at AU. Rebecca is still an RN; and manages A Pinch of Happiness Spice Shop, and their nonprofit, Celebrate Differences.

Their son Ryan was born with Down syndrome and they started the charity to offer workshops, sib shops, resource libraries; book clubs, play groups, Autism and Down syndrome support groups, and connects families through outreach projects and social activities and networking.

Watching their children succeed is the highlight - Olivia (28) lives in the city and has her master’s degree in accounting; Isabelle (18) will graduate Oswego HS and join MIZZOU's Track & Field team; Kyle (14) plays basketball for Oswego HS; and Ryan (14) participates in Special Olympics basketball and works in the school’s cafeteria.

Work, love, play – all in a day for this family. -Kristen Kucharski, Photo by Mike Mantucca

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