Chicago, just in the nick of time!

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"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." 

Proverbs 18:24
After months and months of trying to find a date that all FIVE of us could leave our families and commitments to reunite in Scottsdale, AZ to see how Kathy's "new" life has taken shape, we wound up in Chicago(?!?) for an amazing weekend.  

First loop around the city, waiting for the Arizonian's arrival.  

Thanks to Janey, Margaret's camp counselor at UVA and wonderful family friend, for the incredible  Siena Tavern recommendation!  Right by the Westin, it was the perfect first stop.  

 Unbelievable architecture around every corner.

"We're all in this together..."

 The flowers with the harp...an emotional overload.

 

 

We texted "Wolanski", who delivered countless babies for the three of us:-) 
We gave him faces he would recognize from our times together!

The Westin's landmark - 1960's parking garage next door.  

The Architectural Boat Tour was indeed the best way to see the city and learn its fascinating history.

Apparently this is what a $1,600 shoe looks like.

Abe...or Albert?!?

They indulged me with the Duke-UNC game early Saturday night, but it was their idea to order in....best decision all weekend, better lending itself to hours of real catching up:-) 

 A lazy agenda Sunday morning, I was determined to top the Sears Tower (Willis, whatever), so off I went.  And it was absolutely worth the walk and wait.  Unbelievable views in all directions.   

It wasn't until this moment I realized how huge and vast the city really was.  It had seemed so manageable until then...perhaps just a weekend, at the beginning of the Corona Virus situation.  

 It goes on for as far as the eye can see in all directions. 

The Ledge

After watching dozens before me, it was harder than I expected to step out there---it's clear, and it's a LONG WAY down!  

 

Basement of our Brunch hub.

 The Institute of Art

 

Kathy shared the ingredients of a lasting friendship:

1 - Been together more than 4 years
2 - Weathered difficult storms (babies, moves, etc.) 
3 - Have come through tough relationship issues with each other
  

Check. Check. Check.


And now we travel together, as if we do it everyday.
It's a beautiful thing.  
And I will be eternally grateful.  

Proverbs 18:24 "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

 

We got home after midnight on Sunday the 8th.  Little did we know what the week would entail worldwide.  

Duke-NC State

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The call came...for the second time in one season!  "Mom and I can't use our 2 tickets to the Duke game.  We'd love for you to use them, if you can." 

Monday night game.  7:00pm.  BUT, the kids were actually out of school Monday and Tuesday!  Only problem is, I had filled our schedules with the things we don't usually have time to squeeze in (Dr's appts, volunteer opportunities) AND the usually activities still on the calendar...all lax practices, piano lessons, an invitation to ski, etc.  Adding to the complication---which child to take?

"As I think through logistics and rescheduling, is there any chance of getting an additional two tickets from the Athletic Dept?  I know it's State and they embarrassed Duke in Raleigh and it's, well, any ACC game, but....".  Figuring this would be my easy way to justify sticking with my schedule, in a matter of hours, I had four tickets...with the added adventure of actually getting them in hand, but that was ironed out.  

The Duke Gardens are always our first stop.     

 The only bummer about basketball season is that little in the Gardens has bloomed.

 Second stop - always the Duke Chapel.

 It...

 Never...

 gets...

 ...old.

Sent this to Matthew's teacher, who camped out herself only a few years ago:-)

Only a few more nights for these students!

They all enjoy the museum every time....especially watching and recreating "The Shot". 

Love Duke or hate them, the numbers speak for themselves.  Simply astounding what has been accomplished over Coach K's 4-decades.

A different view.  Behind the State bench, but closer to the floor.  The kids brilliantly brought walkie- talkies so we could coordinate our seat changes...but of course it was entirely too loud for them to be reliable.

...when I told him his beloved teacher used to camp out for months on end just to see Carolina play. 

Mes-mer-ized.the.entire.game.

The band-surfing Devil.

In an attempt to keep them occupied in the car 7 hours without constant electronics, we wrote a tribute to our dear Corie, who had just gotten engaged to her "Hokie Michael".  Filming would happen at home, but the writing and editing was a perfect car activity.

 

We drove back to Lynchburg after the game...11:30pm arrival.  Wish I'd driven the additional 1:15 home, but didn't want to risk waking up Penny when we came in since Michael was getting up at 4:30.  Man, the things we've done to create routine for this puppy:-)  But she's awesome and maturing quickly, so completely worth it.  Awesome to be at Cameron with all three of my kiddos.  Always an amazing experience!