Constance "Connie" Kendall has been a mainstay on the family audio drama Adventures in Odyssey since its inception.  Over the years, she's grown as a character, both in her maturity and her background.  Connie's arc of becoming a Christian is regarded as one of the best storylines on the show, and her journey into adulthood is just as valuable to her development.  When 2001 rolled around, Connie was a pretty solid character, with a decent back story, a well-fleshed out family, and a mature personality.

And then she met Mitch.  And since then, Connie has never been the same.

Robert "Mitch" Mitchell entered Connie's life and introduced her to a concept she had long forgotten: romantic attraction.  Mitch was perfect, and he loved Connie.  But he also had his secrets, so he put his safety on the line to make sure Connie knew all his secrets at the right time.  That was how important their relationship was.

And then Mitch joined the FBI.  He found another love in his job.  And Connie and Mitch left each other.

From the day when Connie was finally over her grief, she spurned any thought of becoming part of another relationship again, and her subconscious wish was granted.  Connie Kendall has had no romantic interaction with any man on Adventures in Odyssey since Robert Mitchell.  Furthermore, she is in constant denial that there could be any future relationship between her and Jeff Lewis, her "first love."  [N.B. — This petition is not necessarily encouraging a marriage between Connie and Jeff.]  While there is at least some semblance of possibility for Connie to find her soul mate, she rejects it.  But deep down, she wants it.  Her disillusionment with marriage is a shroud, keeping her safe in her own little bubble.  It's not what she wants, but it's not risky.  It's safe.

The writers have said as much.  Phil Lollar, the co-creator of the show, has argued on multiple occasions that Connie should not get married.  Ultimately, the argument against Connie's marriage comes down to three reasons: 1) Connie's character would be drastically changed if she were to get married (let alone have children).  2) Connie's story can be a great example of celibacy and relying on God to be content.  3) Currently, Connie's singleness allows her to relate to the younger listeners of the show.

There's only one problem to this.  Nay, two problems.  Nay, three!  First: the organization is called (and I repeat, the organization producing this show is called) Focus on the Family.  Second: it has worked before to get a character married — Eugene Meltsner and Katrina Shanks, for example — without destroying the character and still bringing great content (c.f. 849: "Out to Sea" or 855: "Divided We Fall" for Eugene).  Finally, Connie has developed emotions all throughout her time on the show, regardless of how the writers are (figuratively) suppressing them in the latest eras.  She has yearned for the connection that is only brought by a loving, Christian husband.  Celibacy is not Connie's calling, and it's a cop-out if anything.  But it's not as if Connie's lacking or incomplete in being single, because her character development thus far has shown that she is complete.  What she desires in marriage is biblical, and would be a great gift and extension of her character.  Now is the point in her life when, after waiting on the Lord, it is time to move forward.

As of this writing, Adventures in Odyssey is about to release episode number 880, and 425 — almost half — have included Connie Kendall.  It's time for the writers to let go of the past and the writing ideal, and it's time to move on.  We have had hundreds of successful, wonderful episodes with Connie, and we have the potential to gain so many more remarkable stories by finding Connie a husband.  Even now, Jules Kendall, Buck Oliver, Matthew Parker, and Jillian Marshall are relatively new characters that are material for good stories and arcs, and the target range of Odyssey gravitates to them — with success (c.f. 860: "The Long End, Part 2").  The time has come to listen to the fans and provide change: introduce into Connie's life the man who will, eventually, over an appropriate length of time, become her soul mate.

Dear Focus on the Family, get Connie Kendall married.