A Fated Journey

It is no secret that Warm Beach Camp serves as a space bringing fated couples together. In light of it being Valentine’s Day, the ministry would like to highlight a particular couple: Kristi and Stephen Blue.

For these two, their journey began long ago. Kristi’s grandfather, WJ McMullen, was the first Director of Warm Beach Camp, followed by her dad, Kevin, who was a lifeguard, and her mother, Pat, who worked in the snack shop and bookstore during summers. Stephen’s grandfather was the first cook of Warm Beach Camp, and then his mother and two aunts were heavily involved at Camp. Despite both families being involved each generation, they didn’t meet until 1985.

That summer, Kristi and Stephen were part of the CILTS program (a Counselor in Leadership Training) and worked together for two summers. “I thought she was stuck up,” “and I thought he was a know-it-all!” recalled Stephen and Kristi upon their earlier impressions of each other. Then, when they returned in the summer of 1988, something had shifted in their dynamic.

As part of Summer Staff Orientation, there was a wagon ride to acquaint everyone with Camp. Kristi recalled, “By the time I got to the wagon, there were no seats available. He was right there, and I had known him from past summers, so I just hopped up on his lap. We ended up talking the whole wagon ride.” Stephen added, “I have to admit, it took me a little while to put two and two together. It was two weeks into the summer, and I had some staff play matchmaker and come up to tell me there was something between the two of us. I did finally ask her out.”

Stephen worked in Food Services and Kristi worked as a camp counselor, so not only were they working in different departments, but their lodging was in different locations, and there were very strict rules about where boys and girls could interact with one another. In order to combat those circumstances, the two of them resorted to improvisation that rivaled any romantic comedy.

“As a camp counselor, I stayed out in the old Chinook Cabins. The cabin I stayed in faced the afternoon sun. I still remember walking up to a bag of melted M&M’s pinned to my cabin door that Stephen had left me.” Stephen chuckled and added, “Yeah, I had to be really careful to sneak through that area before any campers came back in and not be seen by Rod Brown or any of the other out-camp leadership. Rod guarded his camp counselors like they were his own children.”

They primarily communicated through notes passed back and forth, often with the help of the Food Service out-camp driver. Every day, before food was brought out to the campers, Stephen would hear, “Do you have a note for Echo (Kristi’s camp name)?” While Kristi worked with her campers, it was strongly encouraged for staff to watch when it was time for them to participate in Horse Camp. Taking any opportunity to spend time with Kristi, Stephen would head down to the Stables and sit beside her.

Reflecting back on that time, Stephen explained, “Not being able to see each other every day and having these little moments really added to the strength of our relationship. It was less of an emotional attachment and more of a choice attachment. Over the course of our relationship, we have had hard times just like anyone else, and it has always come back to being together is a choice.”

Kristi and Stephen dated for one year, were engaged for one year, and married on September 8, 1990. They celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this past year! They have three children, Evan, Megan, and Lauren. Their children are fourth-generation Warm Beach Campers, with Evan currently serving as Food Service Manager. With such strong familial ties to Warm Beach Camp, they have volunteered and participated in a myriad of ways.

Kristi lovingly said, “Camp is our family’s grounding spot. Once I am on grounds it feels like home. Every year we return for Family Camp, and I can feel the Lord is working there; it brings me back to center.” Stephen added, “I echo that. We really raised each other there and with the help of many mentors. Nancy and Stan Nelson, Rod Brown, and Joanie and Mike Yonker. They have all been huge mentors in our journey. Whether or not those people are still at camp, and whether or not you are still there, the impact of that place remains with you.”