Sebastian's name

On occasion I am asked how Wes and I came up with the name Sebastian. Here is the story behind our precious son's name.

Wes, Katherine, and I lived in Wynnewood, and Wes was the Youth & Music Minister of First Baptist Church. The Soutee's (an active family within our church and youth group) hosted a young man, Sebastian Hohenester, from Munich, Germany during the 2003-2004 school year. Sebastian became an active part of our church youth group, and Katherine fell in love with him. She, along with just about every girl in town, thought Sebastian was the cutest person ever! He has blond hair, blue eyes, an accent, and is so polite. How could it not be love at first sight!

During the school year we had many opportunities to get to know Sebastian Hohenester. Sebastian was the punter and field goal kicker for the Wynnewood Savages football team. While Wes spent many hours painting the football field Sebastian was practicing his kicks, and they developed a friendship. They would also play tennis together. Katherine and I had the pleasure of getting to know him through church activities. On Sunday evenings after church we would take the students to eat pizza. Sebastian would come with us. He would also come over with Matt Soutee and play video games with Wes. Through all this Katherine really began to feel very comfortable around Sebastian. Once Wes and I were at a basketball game and had to leave for a short period of time. Another church member volunteered to let Katherine sit with her while we left. When Wes and I arrived back at the basketball game, we discovered that during the hour we were gone Katherine was only happy when sitting with Sebastian. She had him wrapped around her finger and she loved him so. By the end of the school year, Katherine would tell you that Sebastian was her boyfriend.

After Wes and I found out that I was pregnant with a little boy we began the process of choosing a name. This was really hard for us, because we could never agree. One afternoon Wes and I were sitting on the couch talking about names. Katherine came in and asked us what we were doing. Wes explained we were coming up with names for her baby bother. With every name we suggested Katherine would shake her head no, so Wes finally asked Katherine what she would name her brother. She thought for a minute and said "Sebastian". And that is how my son got is name.

In May 2005, Sebastian H. met Sebastian K., and Katherine had her two favorite Sebastian's!