Goodbye, Thank You & the Magic of Beginnings

12/18/2015

Saying goodbye is such a strange thing. It’s always been weird and awkward for me. And I’m terrible at it. Definitely much better at hello.

I’m not ready to give a lengthy “why” about the reasons I chose to leave TV. That will come soon. So for now it’s the simple fact that this decision is by and large about my kids, my husband and our family.

This is also a little tricky because I’m not ready to talk about my next adventure… but I CAN say I am all kinds of super, crazy, excited for the future.

I also have so many thank yous…. to viewers who let me into your homes when I was a wide-eyed 22 year old, fresh out of college and desperate to make a difference in the world. You trusted me to tell meaningful stories and dig deeper to find and talk about the real issues in our community. I hope I’ve done that.

My job allowed me to forge an insane number of friendships in this community, many people I’ve grown to trust and admire. I owe a huge thanks to them as well.

I’ve also made SO MANY friends at WSBT, including colleagues past and present who relentlessly pushed me to be better, work harder and give just a little bit more (they know who they are).

Want to know a secret about news? This might seem basic but a lot of the time (especially in breaking news situations), getting information means staying calm, knowing who to call and knowing what questions to ask.

Being a reporter made me tougher than I ever thought I could be. I did some happy, uplifting stories from time to time but I also saw the “worst of the worst” situations and sometimes had nightmares because of it. But what often kept me going was knowing I brought those terrible (and sometimes sad) issues to light. Informing the public. Holding people accountable. I got so much satisfaction out of that.

Isn’t it kind of ironic though how I can be tough enough to knock on the door of a criminal, yet an exasperating day with two irrational toddlers and an infant can push me to tears? I guess I am human after all, huh? Ha!

Jade Birch Photography

But right now it’s those little people who need their mommy to be around more, because you know what? They’ll never be this little again. I’ll never, EVER get this time back… the hilarious things they say and do, the ability to be superwoman in their eyes (no matter what) and the chance to truly live in the moment.

I’m not becoming a stay-at-home mom though… I’m not THAT tough! ;)

So here’s to my leap of faith. Leaving my comfort zone and doing something new because I truly feel it’s the right thing for me. Your love and support means so much more than I could ever put into words and I thank you for that.

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Cherish the people you love. Live without regrets. Say fewer goodbyes and more hellos.

BE YOU. AND DON’T APOLOGIZE FOR IT.

34 Comments

Hanmah link

12/18/2015 09:38:02 am

Best wishes for your next adventure! Having the opportunity to spend more time with the best, most funny, and amazing little people can't be beat!

Liz Rich

12/18/2015 09:43:33 am

So sorry to see you go but excited to see you explore the the next chapter of your life! I wish you the very best Kelly!

marcia harber link

12/18/2015 10:37:26 am

so sorry to see to go its been great to see you do all kind of good stories but I do understand why you want to do better things and to be with your family which is so beautiful you will be missed but good luck in whatever you do. merry Christmas to you and your family

Donna Schantz

12/18/2015 12:15:16 pm

I have enjoyed watching you as a news person through the years I wish you the best of everything.😃

Rusty Schrubba

12/18/2015 10:08:17 am

Kelli, the best to you and your family. Happy Holidays. Go enjoy that great family!

Leanne

12/18/2015 10:10:33 am

Dear Kelly,
I am the person who had the privilege to help you at the Mishawaka Court House when you came in for information. I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed you..not only just your reporting but your zest for it!! Please know I am thrilled for your new adventure and hope you know I will miss you very much!! Best wishes to you and your family!!

Lee Dillinger

12/18/2015 10:18:06 am

Kelli...I have always enjoyed your reporting abilities calm, cool and collected. Wish the very best in your new adventure. Merry Christmas to you and yours. You will be missed.

Sharon Smith

12/18/2015 10:21:35 am

Have loved watching you and enjoy your writings. So happy for you that you can do something that is going to give you more time with your children, You are right when you say they won't ever be this little again. Wish you all the luck and you and your family have a Merry Christmas and New Year.

Wendy

12/18/2015 10:26:03 am

This is very sad that you have to go but I understand that you have to be there for your baby's but you will be miss a lot 😢

mike copeland

12/18/2015 10:26:46 am

I always trusted and knew your reports were accurate and to the point. You are an excellent journalist and will be sorely missed, good luck in your new endeavour. WSBT will have a hard task to replace you.

Mickey Lane

12/18/2015 10:39:25 am

Best wishes to you Kellie. Enjoy your children they grow up way to fast!

Jenn L.

12/18/2015 10:48:10 am

Best wishes on the next step of your journey. I hope you will keep your blog going as it has been an inspiration to see another Mom out there working on her juggling skills. Will miss seeing you on the tellie!

Sarah

12/18/2015 10:54:50 am

Awe I'm so sorry you have to leave! I love your mommy stories!! It makes us "stay @ home mommas" feel normal. Like its OK that we do what we do! .. Lol... Good luck on your new adventure! Have a Merry Merry Christmas!

Sue Jojo

12/18/2015 11:20:28 am

I am truly sorry to see you leave WSBT 22. Have enjoyed every article you have done. You are very professional, have empathy when needed and tell it like it should be told! Would be happy to be a "surrogate" Grandma anytime--have had lots of practice.

Dottie Ricketts

I am sorry to see you go but also glad for you. Would like to see you in your next adventure so stay out there. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Patricia Gumm

12/18/2015 11:29:56 am

Good luck to you, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Ruby (Kay) Middleton

12/18/2015 11:45:04 am

Kelly, I feel like I am saying goodbye to a dear friend. I met you when you were covering the trial of murder Phillip Geans. You did a remarkable job of covering it. Through your coverage I was able to learn what was going on in the trial, many times I couldn't hear or understand some of the testimonies or the lawyers when they spoke. Good luck, and make many happy New memories with your family..your babies are precious, enjoy them. Kay Middleton.

Vern Byrd

12/18/2015 11:49:38 am

Very nice choice. You are right, kids are small only once and what u do now will affect them for life and how they will grow to be like there parents. Nice job in the past and whatever you do, u will succeed and be successful. Because u have Justin to push you forward. Grin

Sandy

12/18/2015 12:05:04 pm

Best of luck. And who knows maybe after the kiddies are older you'll be back!

Nina Bisbey

12/18/2015 12:23:21 pm

Sorry to hear you are moving to a new adventure.you are a great reporter always enjoyed your reporting.God bless you and your family and have a.MERRY Christmas and a blessed New year. You will be missed.

Sharon Long

12/18/2015 06:00:59 pm

You will be missed, Kelli. I have enjoyed your reporting & always felt confident that I was getting the truth. Enjoy your babies & may your next adventure be another pleasing adventure for you.

Florence

12/18/2015 01:00:04 pm

You will be missed . You have done a supper job enjoy the littles they do grow up way to fast God Bless and keep you and yours

Fred Ross

12/18/2015 01:11:54 pm

Kelli, you will be greatly missed by my mom (90.5 years old) and I. I just told her and she said, "Aww, I really like her!" She, as I do, wish you well where ever you go and what ever you choose to do. It is great you'll get to love on those little ones and the big boy in your life more in person.

Peace,
Fred

P.S. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year and a long love filled life with your beautiful family.

Veronica Locsmondy

12/18/2015 01:41:10 pm

I miss you already............ You have been a joy to watch and have always done a terrific job at reporting and being a true professional journalist! You will be greatly missed. But from my personal life experiences, I can truly say at 72 yrs old, my greatest job was always being a mom............ even though I worked for 50 yrs.

Kathy Kelsheimer

12/18/2015 02:24:25 pm

I have enjoyed you over the years, I wish you every success in your new adventure. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Tammy

12/18/2015 05:59:46 pm

So sad to see you go. Always enjoyed your great reporting. Hope you have a wonderful new adventure. Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family.

Kathleen Bucks

12/18/2015 05:59:47 pm

Kelly want to wish you the best on this new stage of your life. I hope you'll be happy and stay in touch with us. Good luck and God bless

Kathy Ketcham

12/18/2015 07:23:49 pm

Kelly,
You have such a wonderful way with words. I will truly miss seeing you on the WSBT News! Your constant smile and informative, accurate reporting was a constant in my home...daily. Best wishes to you and your family. I left a career and sacrificed a lot for my family once, also. Life was so much better after that. Good luck with your new endeavor, truly.

Jennifer

12/19/2015 09:10:42 am

Make sure that whatever path you take for your next career , its with bosses that understand family is first. Don't ever miss the preschool plays or the grade school field trips. Let the housework go a little and remember to get on the floor and play with your babies. They aren't going to remember the immaculate kitchen, but they will remember all the fun games you played together.I didn't take this advice, because I was a teen Mom and I felt I was constantly being judged and criticized, so I forgot that those things were OK when you have little ones, and that its OK for him to play in the dirt, out of fear that someone would think I was a bad parent if he and the house weren't perfect. But then the most awful thing happened.... I blinked... and now my sweet precious, happy baby boy is in high school. I missed it... I missed all those field trips because I was working. You can never get back what you missed, but you can make sure you don't miss anymore!! God bless you on your journey!! Merry Christmas!!

Barbara Dull

12/19/2015 02:02:17 pm

Good luck and it has been a joy to watch you and your family grow.

Tammy Adams

12/19/2015 05:20:55 pm

Awe, we will miss you! Congratulations on your new beginnings! Thank you so much for your honest reporting, our family really appreciated it!

Linda white

1/2/2016 11:03:17 am

You will be missed on the news but good luck in the future.

Vicki O. Davis

1/5/2016 07:48:53 am

You have been one of my favorite reporters. The qualities that made that happen will give you success in whatever you choose to do. Best wishes to you and your family. Enjoy those precious children. Bless you.

Cherilyn Clements

3/7/2016 06:24:59 pm

Kelly,
I'm so ashamed to say that I just realized you were gone from WSBT! I know I haven't seen any stories with you on the news, so I looked you up and just read your Dec. 18, 2015 post! I do miss seeing you and your very informative reports, but I totally understand being there for your family and moving on to better things (for you)! God bless you in your future endeavors.

kelli stopczynski
mom. runner. real talk queen.