Sister Kayelyn Archibald Birch

Sister Kayelyn Archibald Birch
Kayelyn Archibald Birch
I was born here in Salt Lake City, December 20, 1964. I went to school at Roosevelt Elementary, Central Jr. High School, and Granite High School. I have spent most of my life, off and on, in this ward. (I just can’t tear myself away.)
I have eight brothers and sisters, and I am the next-to-youngest child in my family. It was easy to blend in, and I enjoyed doing a lot of people-watching. I had my rowdy moments though. I enjoyed playing outdoor games, like “no bears are out tonight”, “treasure hunt”, “sardines”, and “tag”, with my brothers and sisters and neighborhood kids.

I enjoyed school. My favorite subject was math.

I participated in the music programs in Jr. High and High school. I enjoyed singing with the choirs, and occasionally accompanying them on the piano. I participated with the Madrigals at Granite High School my senior year.

After high school I attended Utah State University for one year. I participated in the choirs and church sorority there. I really enjoyed my year there. Then I came home and attended the University of Utah for a couple of quarters.

I met my husband, Michael, many years before. He was the big brother of one of my good friends at school. I had been in their house many times and had met Michael when I was in Jr. High School. I always thought he was a very nice person, but he was just Andrea’s brother. He went with us to firesides, movies, etc. throughout the years, but……

After his mission, when I was attending the University of Utah, Andrea invited me to go to a movie, and miniature-golfing with them. I enjoyed the evening and thought, “Michael is really a nice guy, but…..” As we went to more activities and spent a lot of time together, I began to think of him differently.

We attended a Young Adult activity where they had a road-rally. We chased around the city in his little brown car. There was Michael, me, one other boy, and two girls in the car. I was the runner for the car, since I was in the front seat. The other boy was being really pushy and majorly annoying me. One of the spots we needed to stop was at the top of the big hill in Sugar-House Park. They dropped me off at the end of the freeway and drove off. I walked up the DARK hill to find the clue. It took a minute to find it, and when I came down they were nowhere to be found. I finally saw Michael walking across the busy street to come get me. I knew then that I really did love Michael. (We won the road-rally. To the relief of the other boy in the car.)

We were married in the Salt Lake Temple, November 20, 1986.

We have eight children: Christopher (21), Andrew(20), Logan (18), Lara (16), Kelsey (13), Tyler (11- April 24th), Bryce (9), and Caitlin (2).

We are happy in this ward, and thankful for our wonderful friends and neighbors.