A Surprising Paycheck
Kevin’s parents received a lot of strange and unexpected requests after the birth of their son. One request was from the local paper who wanted their first-hand account. The paper paid his parents a generous $2,500 and the family handed over the mundane details of everyday life.
Since Kevin was born larger than the average newborn it was a struggle to find his clothes but people were more curious about one specific thing! Everyone wanted to know what he ate! Would he be able to nurse from his mother or did he require a specific diet?
He Would Always Be In The Spotlight
When Kevin walks into a room today, you can’t miss him. He’s gotten used to this attention but even his family didn’t expect the press or focus. The family was living in a small Toms River, New Jersey. This sleepy township was about to be filled with paparazzi.
Before Kevin was born, the town was famous for a little league baseball victory and a popular tourist destination. Kevin's parents were both vertically blessed, but they were worried about the future of their baby boy. Would this family survive scrutiny? How can someone so tall live under a microscope?
An Expected Big Surprise
Kevin’s parents were ready for their big bundle of joy! It was clear that big amounts of fun ran in their family history. Kevin’s mother was 9lbs at birth and her husband was 10lbs! When Kevin was born he defied all expectations at a double-digit scale reading.
At 16lbs, Kevin was almost double the size of his mother when she was born! The couple had one child before Kevin, a baby girl named Kristina. When his sister was born she was half his weight at 8lbs. What other big surprises was the family in store for?
Where Would He Sleep?
When Kevin was born he didn’t fit in the bassinet! The parents felt like every challenge that was presented to them was worth it. They knew they could offer their baby boy the best life possible but they would need to be creative.
It would become a constant challenge to make Kevin safe, but how was his mother feeling after the delivery? Were there any potential complications for her after delivering an actual bowling ball of a human being?
Was Everyone Healthy After The Delivery?
After her delivery was everyone ok? Delivering a normal weight baby can cause complications for any mother but what about the largest in the state? After a smooth delivery doctors examined the mother and baby and everyone was fine.
They stayed in the hospital for a few days before leaving. This young family had no idea how different their life was about to be! Can you imagine how this spotlight would make a big difference in this family? It wasn’t always going to be easy but they were ready for a big challenge.
A Normal Baby In Every Way
Kevin’s parents thought the attention was hilarious. When Kevin was leaving the hospital one doctor even asked the parents if he should make the baby steak and potatoes! These kinds of jokes were going to follow Kevin for the rest of his life.
His parents tried to create a safe environment for their family at home but they couldn’t protect him from the outside world. Even television shows were parodying the birth and Kevin later saw the sketch on SNL. Who else wanted to capitalize on Kevin’s big future?
Letters From Near And Far
Families across America wanted to reach out to the Jersey natives and express their concerns. Responses ranged from thoughtful to cruel and Kevin didn’t see a lot of the letters. His parents knew that his big shoulders were going to carry a lot more weight than anyone else.
With his larger-than-life-size, it only took a couple of years before more than just his community was interested in him. There’s one gift in particular that Kevin has always kept but it came with a letter he never wanted to respond to.
It Felt Like Kevin’s Future Was Already Written
It became a common assumption that Kevin would go into sports. With his height and build, he was a popular candidate from a young age for sports including football and basketball. The family was getting a lot of publicity and Kevin had attracted a lot of interesting eyes.
He was too young to make any big decisions but the time would come when he would have to decide. Would he dedicate his life to sports or was there a bigger passion this larger-than-life boy wanted to pursue? Would this letter and present influence his decision?
A Potential Touchdown
When Kevin was still a child he received a letter from the Director of the National Football League. The letter made sure he knew that the association would be holding a space for him as an adult. They even sent him a NY Giants teddy bear which he still has.
There was a lot of focus on what Kevin would do and everyone assumed he would join sports teams. He had a natural advantage with his height and stature, but Kevin wanted to make his own path. Who else reached out to Kevin for a bright future?
Protecting The Waters
Kevin also received a letter from the US Coast Guard. They were excited to see the youngster thinking about his future and offered to fly him and his family to their university campus when he was older.
With all of these offers, Kevin was hiding one small fact about himself. He never knew how others would react when they found out his true feelings. Was Kevin prepared to risk his family and fame with this deep, dark secret?
Kevin Didn’t Like Sports
With his height, everyone assumed his future would be athletic. The one thing they didn’t count on was Kevin not wanting to play! By the time he was a pre-teen Kevin was towering above his classmates, and his teachers definitely noticed.
One teacher, in particular, taught most teen's favorite classes. Physical Education gave students a class that could help them burn energy and didn’t involve looking at a book. Kevin remembers exactly what his gym teacher told him. It still haunts him to this day.
With His Height, People Forgot
Even though Kevin was tall, he was still just a child. It was unfortunate how many adults forgot that. When Kevin was in school he should have felt safe and not judged but instead, his gym teacher looked at the young boy and saw trophies.
Would you believe what happened in a private conversation between the teacher and student? Kevin was so young he wasn’t sure how to respond. He decided to smile and support his small school but these words still play in his mind. Would he ever be accepted for who he was?
Was It A Joke Or A Threat?
In a recent interview, Kevin remembers a conversation with this high school gym teacher. I had a conversation with my high school health teacher, who was also a coach and he said, ‘If you want to pass health class, you’re gonna play basketball.’”
Kevin felt his stomach drop. Even though everyone expected him to excel in athletics he wasn’t interested or good at sports. He struggled to keep up and yet never lost his spot on teams. What else did Kevin have to manage growing up?
His Extended Family Wanted Everything
Kevin's parents had cousins and distant relatives reach out to them for Kevin to come to visit. It became eye-opening that even family members would want to publicize him if it meant they could get attention.
Besides wanting him to make appearances, Kevin had to learn from a young age to not take anything personally. Especially at family functions he was still gawked at and viewed as a medical mystery. How did he keep his mind clear and head above everyone else?
Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones
Kevin was used to hearing jokes at his expense while he grew up. People always wanted to talk about his height and he was never seen as anything more than a towering young man. He learned to grin and bear the torment but it slowly chipped away at his heart.
Even if he wasn’t in public, family functions didn’t offer him much sanctuary. His relatives always asked how sports were going or made jokes about his height. It was a struggle for the young teen to find his place. What did his parents do to help?
They Always Provided A Safe Space
Kevin’s father worked in the military and the family was constantly on the move. It didn’t bother the teen to live in different locations, but every time he started a new school he hoped to make one friend.
His parents saw their son struggling and knew how important it was for him to have a safe space. They made sure at home Kevin was just their son and no one talked about his height. The teen took up two hobbies that also gave him solitude. Where could he go to escape?
Nature Never Judged Him
Kevin found an escape in the great outdoors. He would spend as much time as he could hunting or fishing no matter where the family lived. He learned how to use his height to his advantage and began to feel more comfortable in his skin.
It’s normal for teenagers to struggle feeling comfortable while they go through growing pains, but Kevin was definitely stretched. Halfway through high school, he was already 6 ft 5” tall. What else did this mean for the young man?
Being A Teenager Is Hard Enough
Just because Kevin was tall didn’t mean his body wasn’t going through puberty. During this important phase of development, an average teenager can grow three inches in one year! For Kevin, he was doubling this and wasn’t showing any sign of stopping.
He also had to be careful with his voice cracking. He was always the center of attention and people had to look up at him and he felt embarrassed with his voice changing. Besides learning how to move his new limbs, Kevin also needed clothes! What did this challenge mean for his family?
Buying Clothes Was Difficult
Ever since he was a newborn he didn’t fit his age range. As he grew up it became more difficult to find shoes, pants, or shirts. Eventually, the family began to custom order his shoes and Kevin got used to outgrowing his pants and shirts quickly.
Kevin's father was also tall so the family was prepared and he never had to go through embarrassing moments. As Kevin approached high school graduation he began to wonder what his future held. What would he do next?
All He Wanted Was To Help
Since Kevin had spent the majority of his life being watched by strangers he began to see it as an opportunity to help others. He enjoyed being a voice to the underdog and didn’t take bullying lightly.
It was easy to feel safe with Kevin and this began to play into his ideals for a future career. The previous letters he had received as a child were still in a drawer somewhere. Would he finally step into the spotlight and embrace his physical abilities or was he going to surprise everyone with a different career path?
Defying Expectations
One thing Kevin knew is that he didn’t want to pursue a career in sports. Regardless of invitations or scouts, he was determined to find something off the field and court. It was easy for him to make a decision that would let him help people and keep his nature.
He decided to look for his career-high in the sky and went to his father for advice. After a successful life serving their country, Kevin's father was ecstatic about what his son was considering. Would this give Kevin a chance at a normal life?
Following In His Fathers Footsteps
After high school, Kevin went to the Air Force academy. He was hopeful that as a new recruit he would be treated the same as everyone else. While this was true for some activities, Kevin felt like he was being chosen still for his height.
People would generally flock to him because he looked like he was in charge. He still towered over his classmates but had thankfully reached his final height of 6’9. As he continued going through his drills, he decided to do something else after graduation.
To Serve And Protect
After graduating from the Air Force, Kevin received an MBA and became a military cop in Texas. As he joined the force he looked forward to reporting to officers of a higher ranking. Unfortunately, he was still regarded as someone important and thinks back to a specific example.
“I was a police officer for a while and everyone instantly would ask me questions, like I was in charge. I’d be in the same uniform as them, sometimes with less stripes.” The problem for Kevin was who did he go to for help when everyone was coming to him?
Is It A Perk?
Being regarded so highly by your peers might seem like a compliment but it was just a reminder for Kevin of a spotlight he was desperate to escape. He was fed up with not having a chance to make mistakes or be himself.
He could never escape being called on for support or assistance because there was no chance his almost 7ft tall body could hide in a crowd. Would anyone ever see him for who he is? Love was waiting around the corner for this gentle giant.
Would He Always Be The Odd Man Out
In 2021, it was recorded the average height for a woman was 5 foot 4. This hasn’t changed much since Kevin was single and dating. This means there was always a minimum of a foot difference between Kevin and any potential dates.
Kevin didn’t want to date someone who was just with him for his height. He was tired of being defined by this quality and wanted someone who appreciated his brain and heart. When he met his future wife he knew he had finally met his match.
Meeting The Love Of His Life
When Kevin graduated with his MBA he also met the love of his life, Jenna. She was also tall at 6 ft and the couple had a whirlwind romance. Finally, Kevin had found someone that saw him for himself.
He was overjoyed to meet his significant other and wondered what the future would hold for him. He’s learned a couple of life lessons along the way, but who can Kevin share this hard-earned wisdom with? Find out about other large babies that are going to need Kevin’s help!
Big Balls Of Joy
Throughout history people have always been amazed at the different sizes babies arrive in. When a mother is carrying their child we can only estimate the size from embryo to labor. There’s a lot of guesswork still, but looking at parents and family genetics can help.
This mother was shocked at her baby girl's arrival. This is the newest member of the big baby club and we think she’ll definitely reach out to Kevin later for some of his sage advice. Who is this baby and how big was she?
Hello, Harper Buckley
Born on March 12, 2019, Harper needed help right away. It took three doctors, a medical “vacuum” and a C-section to safely deliver the 15 lb baby. Harper got stuck under her mother's rib cage during the pregnancy and was immediately monitored for oxygen or complications.
Excited parents Joy and Norman could not wait to meet the 23-inch long baby, who is the same size as most 6-month-olds. Even though she was a pound less than Kevin, it’s predicted that she will reach a similar height. You won't believe how her mother compares her labor too?
A Long Time Coming
Norman and Joy Buckley spoke with ‘Good Morning America’ about their fertility issues and the extra special reason Harper is a double blessing. The couple always wanted a big family and adopted their first child, Heaven in 2012. With the help of IVF, they gave birth to their second child in 2017.
"I was only ever given a 15 percent chance of getting pregnant naturally without the help of IVF," Joy Buckley said. Doctors warned the couple it would be near impossible for another pregnancy, and everyone was thrilled when they found out about Harper. What was this baby’s estimated weight? Why were the doctors so surprised?
Slight Miscalculation
Doctors estimated Harper would be 12pounds, and Joy was closely monitored during the pregnancy. The mom also has type 2 diabetes and the pregnancy was deemed high risk. It was always expected that the birth would be memorable but it was nothing like Joy expected.
With all of the support and medical team present, did Joy even feel what was happening to her body? The miracle and science of birth are incredible but would her body be able to survive this grueling labor?
You Won’t Ever Forget This!
While new mother Joy is excited about her daughter's birth, the process of delivery is not something she wants to repeat any time soon. “I felt like I was hit by two tractor-trailers!” Joy had an uncomfortable pregnancy from the constant pressure and extra weight from Harper but it’s all worth it now!
When Harper was delivered it took her and her mother a few days to recover. There was enough amniotic fluid for two babies due to her size. Unlike Kevin’s family, Harper's mother is only 5-foot-8, but the couple won’t put any pressure on their daughter. If we’ve learned anything from Kevin’s life, they might be the only ones.
Giving Advice To Future Large People
Kevin heard about Harper’s birth and was overjoyed for the family. When asked about advice he had sage words for the baby and parents. “Be prepared because at social gatherings, and at almost every family reunion, people are going to want to talk about it.”
It was a feeling Kevin remembers clearly from his own childhood and not being able to escape the constant discussion or jokes. He knows firsthand that you can’t sweat the small stuff but there’s a few things he’s not sure on how Harper will feel.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Since Kevin is a boy, his height made him more attractive but it might be a challenge for Harper to feel 100% comfortable in her skin. Kevin said, “She’s probably going to be embarrassed at some point. It’s part of the territory,” he said. “I’d tell her: Just be yourself and have a sense of humor.”
Hopefully, while Harper grows up she has a great support system. “As a girl, there might be different challenges for her — going to a school dance and being taller than the guy she’s with. Not being able to wear heels,” he said. All we know is the future is bright for both of these amazing people!
It’s A Big Happy Ending
It seems that everything has worked out for this gentle giant. He has a successful career and loving wife and a fur baby with their great dane, Tex!. Normally this dog would seem big compared to its owners but it’s the perfect size for its larger-than-life family.
Regardless of how you start, life will always be full of challenges. Just keep your head high and remember it could always be worse! We loved reading Kevin’s inspirational story and can’t wait to see what else the future has in store for him!