Today’s I am a Twin Cities Family feature is all about Kristin Gifford!
“I’m the mother of an amazing, autistic five-year-old. I’m the spouse of a fantastic person I met 18 years ago on my college cross-country team. I’ve worn many hats in my life–driver’s ed instructor, professional pianist, middle school English teacher, volunteer clown–and the one I am currently wearing as “parent” is just as challenging and humorous as any of the others. I’m passionate about confronting injustice, particularly the racial and gender injustices that surround us, and have been learning and learning about the role I play in perpetuating or dismantling oppression. I write, read, run, knit, garden, crochet, sew, and organize Legos in my “free time.”
Outside of your role as a mom, what are you passionate about?
What do you love about calling the Twin Cities home?
The trees, the trails, the myriad of services for autistic individuals.
If we peeked in your purse right now, what would we find?
How do you prioritize friendships and connections with other women?
I love that some of my closest female friends are able to have a full relationship with me via texting–one of these friendships began when we were both new mothers and needed an adult to commiserate with during 2:00 a.m. feedings. I also love finding time to write with other women and share writing experiences together.
Being a mom is no easy task. How do you relax and take care of you?
What’s been your greatest joy in motherhood?
What have you found most challenging in your motherhood journey?
How do you hope your life influences and/or inspires other women?
Twin Cities Favorites
Date Night Restaurant: We are still restaurant-shy, but are ordering plenty of take-out from Milton’s, our favorite, local date spot.
Best place to hang out and have some fun: Any Three Rivers Park during any season!
Local Boutique: Imagine a boutique stocked with just popcorn–delicious, addictive popcorn in all sorts of styles and colors and flavors. Redmon’s Popcorn is that boutique!
Local Coffee Shop: Triple D Espresso in Golden Valley. It’s hard to know if it’s the scones, the coffee, the refills, or the service that top the list of why it rocks.
Locally based online business: They just opened a storefront in Mankato, but every product I have purchased from Lakota Made is fantastic.
