On March 20th, 2015, a teenager named Adam Rogers appeared on a radio show promoting Kidscape Production. The radio show host was so impressed with his personality and drive that she asked what high school he attended. He was a senior at Galena and the host had a daughter that was a sophomore and casually asked him if he knew her. His face lit up. He had seen her but did not know her well. He politely asked if there was any way he could have her number and the host got permission first and before Adam left the station, he had her number.
They would begin talking that afternoon and within a few days had decided to go to prom together. This was the beginning of a love story. Kenzie has her own version of the events that unfolded. She was sitting in her Academics Success Class when her mom asked her if she knew who Adam Rogers was and if so, could she give him her number. She was hesitant but decided to go for it. It turned out to be the greatest decision of her young life as she was just 16 years old. He officially asked her to be his girlfriend on March 27th, 2015. Kenzie was worried about the relationship going anywhere as Adam was just months from graduating and she still had two years of high school to complete. Once he graduated, they decided to give it a try since he was staying local at the University of Nevada.
Adam was the first person in his family to go to college which in itself was very impressive. His hard work ethic was paying off and his desire to succeed was strong. He balanced his studies with his relationship with his high school sweetheart and they realized they couldn't talk as much or see each other with the demands of college that Adam faced. Adam was adamant that they shouldn't give up and wanted to continue to try as there was love on both sides. They tried to make time for each other when they could, even if it was just 10 minutes at a yogurt shop to share a quick hug that would sustain them until their next meeting. He made the decision to support Kenzie's cheerleading squad and came to all of her football games to watch. He committed to going to all of the dances that are a special part of high school including Junior Assembly and Prom. Adam certainly felt out of place at high school events, but he wanted to support his girl and he did.
Once Kenzie graduated, things got easier as she moved close to campus and they were able to see each other much more often. They spent the summer before college started hanging out most days and taking lots of trips to the beach. Once school started, schedules got more complicated for both of them with work and school. They fought through that first semester with love and dedication but something more powerful was calling Adam. In a very emotional conversation, Adam told Kenzie that he had decided to sign up for the Air Force. It was his passion and of course it would mean his leaving Reno. They had time to spend together before he was scheduled to leave for boot camp and as the date approached, they spent all the time they could together.
Adam left for boot camp in the early morning hours on March 20. Kenzie met him at the airport for one more last hug and kiss. Adam had brought a photo book she had made him for their second anniversary and handed it to her and said "I feel like right now you will need this more than me." Adam will be gone for five months at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. When he returns, his future will be unknown as he could face deployment. He will not have the use of his cellphone until the middle of May so their love story now must be told in letters. There will an occasional short phone call home to Reno but there is no guarantee Kenzie will be available to take it with work and school. They will briefly see each other when he graduates from boot camp in May and then another long stretch until he returns home on Aug. 29. Kenzie told me it is only 162 days, but who's counting?
It is amazing to see young love full of trust and commitment. These two will go back to the days where love letters instead of texting will be the norm. They will both be different people when Adam returns and this experience will likely make their love grow stronger. I have had the pleasure of watching all of this unfold as I am the radio host that met Adam Rogers three years ago and wanted to introduce him to my daughter, Kenzie Di Lillo. I never knew where it would go but they are an amazing example not just to people their age but to all of us. They have survived many roller coasters that would end most relationships and they have now embarked on one of the hardest rides yet. It will be the hard work and dedication that I first saw in Adam and I know my daughter possesses that will get them through. All throughout the United States, there are young couples facing these challenges as soldiers get deployed or young men begin their first hard steps at boot camp. They all deserve our support and love as they face the challenges of missing those that they love the most.
