3 minute read
Meet The Gilde Family: Bonded to Northgate through Swim team friendships
www.NorthgateLivingCA.com @NorthgateLivingCA #NorthgateLivingCA
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991
Jason and Krystal Gilde grew up together in Southern California, attending elementary, middle and high school together. They even later discovered they were born at the same hospital. But it wasn’t until senior year that they became a couple. Their relationship survived the college years, with Jason attending University of Southern California (USC) and Krystal attending Pepperdine University. The high school sweethearts married in 2008 at the Palos Verdes Country Club and have been living the happily ever after ever since.
After studying Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Biology at USC, Jason went on to medical school there. It was his residency program at Kaiser Permanente Oakland in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery that brought the Southern California natives to the Bay Area in 2013. Jason is now a surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo.
Krystal was also in the health care profession before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She received her B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and practiced as a Family Therapist for 5 years. After her first child, she worked for BetterUp, a San Francisco startup that connects workers with certified coaches. She was able to do this work from home via phone or video chat while her daughter napped. Now Krystal is a busy mom of three and volunteers as much as possible at her kids’ school, Northcreek Academy.
The couple intended to return to Southern California after Jason’s residency in Oakland. But, as Krystal says, “we fell in love with the area and how family oriented it is. With Jason working 80+ hour weeks, I was often ‘mommying’ alone, but that quickly changed after meeting the most wonderful ‘mommy friends’ that have now become an extension of our family. This community brought friendships into our lives that we are eternally grateful for. As time went on, this place that we had to move to for residency became ‘home’.”
They quickly found a 2nd family in Woodlands Swim Team when Addie, now 7, was old enough to join swim team. Chase, 5 years old, will start his first season on swim team soon, and Dylan, 2 ½, is a future Kermit’s Pal (intro swim team). “We joined Woodlands because of our dear friends who belong to the club and feel so thankful,” says Krystal. “Swim team is not just a sport for our children, but a family experience to bond with other families and spend quality time together at the pool! It is a place where age only matters when you are racing in the pool. Outside of the pool, our Woodlands Swim Team is one big family where lifelong friendships are built and where good sportsmanship, encouragement, and kindness are instilled. Our swim club connects us to our community and we are counting down the days until it starts up again!”
Addie also enjoys gymnastics at Encore, dance at Dance Connection and soccer with Walnut Creek Soccer Club. She also was inspired by her neighbors, who are high school cheerleaders, to join Northgate’s Junior Bronco Cheer Clinics. Chase is active with a multi-sport program through Skyhawks Walnut Creek Rec. Dylan enjoys MyGym and Music Together.
Jason and Krystal believe in inspiring their children to perform service for others. They model this through Jason’s work with the Children’s Ministry at their church, New Life in Alamo, and Krystal’s volunteering at Northcreek Academy. “Any opportunity I get, I am volunteering at Northcreek, whether it is to work centers in the classroom, yard duty on the playground, chaperone the field trips, or mark tallies for their fun run. Any chance I can, I love to volunteer and be a part of our children’s academic experience.”
The Gildes love their new-found community. The location provides great access to things that are important to them: the kids’ school, Farmers’ Market, downtown, BART and the trails. They especially love their street and their neighbors, many who have lived there for over 20 years. And they love being so close to the Woodlands pool. “We are forever grateful for the everlasting friendships this community has brought to our family. Furthermore, we are thankful for the wonderful opportunities this community offers to our children to be a part of the swim team!”
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at knavolio@bestversionmedia.com.
