Mekhi… Door to Door Determination

On a recent fternoon, a traveling salesman came by my house to sell a home security system. I wasn’t really interested in buying anything, but his name immediately caught my attention. His name was Mekhi (Ma-kie) and I learned that he was named after the renowned actor, Mekhi Phifer… a favorite of his mother!

His unique name has Hebrew roots and means “Who is like the Lord.” The name carries connotations of faith, strength, and spiritual connection, which felt fitting because Mekhi had a friendly, easygoing personality. He was the kind of person with a joyful smile who could strike up a conversation and make a connection.

Mekhi was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he grew up playing sports… basketball, baseball and football. In high school, he was a talented athlete with big dreams of getting a scholarship and playing football in college. Unfortunately, those plans were canned when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. His senior football season was cut short, and with it went many of the opportunities he had worked so hard to earn.

Instead of going to college, Mekhi began working in a family business, driving a delivery truck. Later, he joined another company hoping to be trained to earn his CDL, which would have opened many doors for him. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, that advancement never happened. Still searching for a new opportunity, Mekhi listened to a friend who encouraged to try working with a security systems company, where he could earn commissions and travel around the country.

He was determined to make a go of it!

That path is what brought him to my neighborhood, knocking on doors and sharing his story. When I asked if there was anything especially unique about him, Mekhi laughed and told me he had once won a pig-catching contest—and he even had photos to prove it. The contest involved releasing a pig into a muddy pen while contestants tried to catch it. Somehow, Mekhi managed to hold on long enough to win. He definitely proved his ability to catch and secure a “pig skin”!

Although I didn’t buy a security system, I walked away impressed. Mekhi—who often goes by KHI because people mispronounce his name—seems like a young man full of determination, personality, and potential. I wish him nothing but success on his journey and was glad to welcome his unique name and story into my growing collection of amazing people.

Please welcome Mekhi to the Ubernamez family!