Shani Chiang/Houston Public Media
Christy Smejkal and Melissa Kamin had planned to partner for two CrossFit competitions later this year, after performing well together in a qualifier.
That can no longer happen, though, because Kamin and her husband, Rob, were among the Houston-area residents who died during the Fourth of July flood last week in the Texas Hill Country.
At a Wednesday night vigil for the Atascocita couple, held at CrossFit Quest in Humble, Smejkal said she was considering skipping out on those competitions. By Friday she had secured a new partner for at least one of those events, and Smejkal said they’ll be wearing special shirts dedicated to Melissa Kamin.
“It’s so hard to think that I can’t do those with her anymore.” Smejkal said at the vigil. “I don’t want to do it without her.”
Around 100 people gathered for the vigil in honor of the Kamins, who both had ties to the CrossFit gym northeast of Houston. The sense of loss and mourning expressed by their family, friends and co-workers – and the fond memories they shared – is a relatable experience for many all over the region and across Texas.
Well over 100 people had been confirmed dead in the flood as of Friday, and at least that many were still considered missing. The victims include dozens of children, many of whom were from the Houston area.
RELATED: How to talk to kids about the Texas Hill Country floods
Melissa and Rob Kamin had been camping at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground near the Guadalupe River when its water level quickly rose early Friday after heavy rainfall.
According to Sam Herrera, a co-owner of CrossFit Quest, Melissa had posted “River bound !!! have a safe and happy fourth everyone!!!” along with a photo of an RV on Facebook on Thursday, July 3. He said when she arrived at the campground, she shared another post captioned: “well not the river I was hoping for.”
The couple was reported missing Friday evening. Rob’s brother shared in a Monday social media post that he had been found dead over the weekend. A vigil already was in the works while Melissa was still considered missing. After she was found dead on Tuesday, the vigil became one of remembrance.
RELATED: Candlelight vigil held for Houston ISD student, others lost in Central Texas floods
Herrera remembers Melissa as a driven, committed athlete.
“I could just picture her just struggling, fighting through the water,” he said. “She was strong, as much as she could be. I’m pretty sure she grabbed onto something, held on tight, and something went through her mind: ‘I do CrossFit, I got this, right?’ But God had other plans.”
Pastor Coleman Philley from the Northeast Houston Baptist Church and Daniel Williams from the Woodlands Church Atascocita led prayers during the vigil. The group sat in a circle around an altar for the couple, holding lit candles and bowing their heads as “Jealous of the Angels” and “Amazing Grace” played.
Shani Chiang/Houston Public Media
Melissa had been an avid member of CrossFit for over seven years. Rob had also started CrossFit with Melissa and trained for about six months. He continued to support Melissa at competitions and attend social events.
Patrick Davis, another co-owner of the gym, was Melissa’s main coach. He recalled a long-running joke with Melissa.
“She always called me her second-favorite coach, no matter what, to anybody she introduced me to. … It didn’t matter who the first favorite was, I just wasn’t it,” Davis said, laughing.
Tricia Novotny was Melissa’s CrossFit classmate for the past seven years. Novotny shared that Melissa often miscounted her reps because she was always talking and socializing.
“That’s what she always did well, was have fun, and was always a bright light, and that’s OK ‘cause CrossFit doesn’t have to be serious all the time,” Novotny said. “It’s OK to have fun, and she brought that to our gym.”
Melissa worked as a physical therapist assistant at Deerbrook Skilled Nursing. Robin Gresham, a co-worker, said Melissa brought similar energy and positivity to both patients and staff.
“One day Melissa texts me, ‘Hey ladybug!’ and that’s the first time anybody ever called me ladybug, and it made me feel special,” Gresham said. “And Melissa had a way of doing that, making people feel special.”
Melissa was also a lover of Jeeps. She owned a blue Jeep, which she named “Southern Sass.”
Elainey Husted is the founder of Diva Jeepers, a Jeep group that Melissa was a part of. Husted also attended the vigil.
Courtesy of Elainey Husted
“She loved to take [rubber] ducks and put them on the Jeeps,” Husted said. “So we got two ducks for them today. We’re headed to her house now to duck her Jeep. Put one for Melissa and one for Rob, kissing on the hood of the Jeep.”
Lilia and Jesus Chavez Jr., Melissa’s CrossFit classmates, said they last hung out with Melissa and Rob at a party.
“[Rob] loved the grill. If there was a grill, he was going to be, like, right there helping out.” Lilia said.
Added Jesus: “[Rob] cooked all the burgers for us. That’s the memory that I want to have of them, of their hospitality, of inclusiveness to everybody.”
Herrera said the CrossFit gym plans to create a memorial, a “special spot on the wall,” in honor of Melissa.
“She’ll never be forgotten,” he said.
Great Job & the Team @ Houston Public Media Source link for sharing this story.
