I am so thrilled to introduce you to this week’s Smarty mom, Katie Robbins, who was brave enough to be our first Smarty mom PODCAST! Yep, you heard that right. We’re branching into the world of podcasts for some of our Smarty moms and couldn’t be more thrilled that Katie agreed to be our guinea pig :-). We teamed up with our podcast peeps, Matt & Ramona from 107.9 The Link, to record this empowering interview with Katie, a breast cancer SURVIVOR, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 
I had heard Katie’s story over the last year from our friends at Charlotte Radiology, but when I spoke with Katie myself over the phone one morning, I was so struck by her story that I immediately called Charlotte Radiology to book my first mammogram. Although I’m not quite 40, my doc had asked me two years ago to get a baseline mammogram, and I kept putting it off – I’d make the appointment and cancel the day before because something “came up.” Listening to Katie’s story forced me to make the appointment and KEEP it. Why I kept putting it off is beyond me. It’s a quick and relatively painless appointment (waaaaaay better than a Pap smear, ladies!), and I’m happy to say my scan was clear. I’m so thankful to Katie for being the swift kick in the tail that I needed.
I hope listening to her story prompts YOU to talk to your doctor, make your mammogram appointment, or do a breast self check. Katie is a ball of fire with a story to tell. So, put on your ear buds, fold some laundry, cook dinner, or go for a run, and listen to this amazing Smarty mama in her own words. We’ve also included, in true Smarty Mom fashion, her vitals and local faves just to you can get to know her a little bit better. 🙂
Smarty Mom Stats:
Married to: Jason Robbins for 21 years… but have known each other for 31! We grew up here in Charlotte together and attended Independence High School. We were Mr. & Mrs. Patriot!
Children: Julia, 16 and Abbey, 13
Years in Charlotte: We have been back in Charlotte since 2005. I grew up here, went away to school, and came back. We got married and lived in Charlotte for a couple of years before moving to Atlanta for my husband to go to seminary there.
Hometown: Charlotte (moved here when I was 5 actually on my birthday!)
Occupation: Marketing, Practice Relations, Advertising and Customer Experience, Charlotte Radiology
Alma Mater: Graduated from Independence High School in 1991 and from the Journalism School at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1995
Neighborhood: Matthews – Squirrel Lake Village
Click here to listen to Katie’s interview with us. A HUGE thanks to Matt Harris for sitting in the room with a bunch of women and leading this interview – he did an incredible job. PLEASE overshare this one. We think her story will save lives!
Fun Smarty questions to get to know you and your family’s local favorites:
Best place for a date night in town?
So many to pick from! Date night is our thing for sure. We believe you have to carve it into the schedule at least once a month to keep a marriage strong. Now that our kids are older we usually go out a couple of times a month. We enjoy craft beer at the new bar in downtown Matthews – Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar. Great social atmosphere with a patio, corn hole, games and great people. We also enjoy heading out to Noda to experience Noda Brewing, Birdsong Brewery and Growlers for oysters!
Family’s favorite weekend getaway?
The beach! Pick a beach, any beach, and we are there! Our first choice is usually Folly Beach, then Kure Beach and then Holden Beach.
Favorite place to shop for yourself?
Handpicked! I can find inexpensive clothes lots of places, but I love to accessorize an outfit with great jewelry!
Favorite place to shop for your girls?
Usually Target but sometimes we splurge and head to SouthPark, and that, of course, is their favorite!
Family’s favorite fall activity?
Halloween! We absolutely love decorating, checking out the Halloween shops in town, going to Scarowinds and of course the big night of trick or treating in our neighborhood and sometimes a costume party! Even though the kids are getting older, they enjoy participating with the younger kids our neighborhood.
Last book read?
Olivia the Pig… LOL! I actually gave that answer on a job interview when the kids were younger. I don’t think the gentleman interviewing me found it near as funny as I did. Seriously I just don’t sit still long enough to read a lot. I do make time to read my daily devotions and the Bible though. So I guess Jesus Calling is the most recent book I’ve read cover to cover.
Best part of raising teenage girls?
Watching them experience life and seeing them build on the advice, morals and foundation you as a parent have instilled in them. It is insanely awesome to see them make good decisions and manage life well. You just want to have a dance party when you see the light bulbs go off for them! It’s exciting to see all your hard work (and their’s) come together! And getting the latest fashion advice from them is a huge plus as well!
First thought when you wake up in the morning?
Jesus. I try to follow the advice of a good friend and let my first thoughts of the day and the last thoughts at night always be about Jesus. Be it thankful thoughts or thoughts of prayers for my family or a friend, I try to turn to Him first and last. This has centered me in a huge way over the last year and has given me incredible strength through the breast cancer journey.
Finish this sentence…This month I wear pink to…
celebrate the journey I’m personally on, but to also remind others that annual mammograms starting at 40 saved my life.
