Our siblings can be our best friends that stick by our sides through all the years to come. They know our secrets, share memories, cheer us on and (sometimes) drive us a little crazy. But they’re family. We are lucky to have many siblings of all ages walking together on 3-Days across the country, and today, for Sibling’s Day, we are highlighting a special family duo: Kathy and Chuck H. from the Twin Cities 3-Day.
Kathy is a survivor, and has been a dedicated 3-Dayer since its first year in the Twin Cities in 2004. After being her “biggest cheerleader” that first year, Chuck joined his sister in 2005, and they have been walking together ever since.
Kathy says, “Chuck and I have always had an amazing relationship. The three days of the walk each year just give us time to connect in person and remind each other just how lucky we are!”
They truly show that family luck and support, adding Kathy’s daughter Megan to their team, Robb’s Ralliers, in 2016 after she was a three-time Youth Corps member, and last year Chuck’s son Cody also walked with their family. The rest of the clan comes out in full force to support Robb’s Ralliers all along the route with signs and cheers.
“We were raised in a strong family environment and taught that being there for your family is just something that you do. The 3-Day is just a personification of this belief,” Chuck says.
“While not all our family members walk, our entire family participates in some manner. For me it is less about the lessons that I can learn and more about passing along values to my children. My son, Cody, was a first-time walker in 2017 and will be back for 2018. I have seen his commitment to the cure strengthen his relationship with his Aunt “Kate” and I can’t tell you how proud he makes me. My daughter, Elanore, is twelve years old and she has never not known the 3-Day.”
In addition to their children, spouses, and family members, their parents continue to be Chuck and Kathy’s biggest supporters.
“Our parents are our biggest supporters, and are there for us from Opening to Closing Ceremonies. For the Robbs, the 3-Day is an annual tradition. It is all about commitment, strength, support, perseverance, and love and our family members all have their own way of showing the importance of these values,” Chuck explains.
These values extend off the 3-Day trail and into the everyday life of their family as well. This is thanks to, of course, their own family, but also the family they have built in the Twin Cities 3-Day.
Even after 13 years of walking, Kathy still lights up talking about her pink bubble. “The Twin Cities 3-Day is filled with so many wonderful people—repeat walkers, repeat crew members and repeat staff members. Everyone has an amazing story to share […] The beauty of the Twin Cities and the weather in August is a bonus. For me, it’s all about the people—coming together every year for three days—so many laughs, many tears shed and so much love!”
Both Kathy and Chuck say that the love and lessons they experience on the 3-Day enforce the foundation of love built throughout their family, and in their own relationship. Chuck calls Kathy “the strongest person I know and second place isn’t even close,” saying, “her will to fight and persevere never ceases to amaze me.” In turn, Kathy praises Chuck’s “huge heart and deep-rooted love for his family” …plus his amazing hugs!
Both siblings are already signed up for the Twin Cities 3-Day in 2018, and Kathy will also be walking her second year in San Diego. Though they might not walk every mile side by side, you can bet they are cheering each other on, crossing the finish line as a family that will never quit.
Happy Sibling’s Day to Kathy, Chuck, and all our 3-Day sibling participants! If you walk with your sibling, share your favorite 3-Day memories with them below!
And, for more stories about siblings, visit this piece about the Cummings sisters.
