November 3

Abby had a gorgeous blue-sky day for her 21st birthday today. She was busy for many of the hours (as was Isaac, who enjoyed his overnight visit last night with a current sophomore and then today ate breakfast in the dining hall, took a campus tour, had lunch, attended a comp sci class on a topic that may as well be Greek to me, and had a meeting with an admissions counselor all before I picked him up at around 2:15. He liked the people he met and the campus and the class, but noted that he would need to acquire serious cold-weather gear if he were to go to Wheaton. Just details to keep in mind!).

I used my alone time to visit a Mother Ship (duh) and then finished up some birthday-related odds and ends, namely wrapping and deciding which presents to give today and which to hold onto for when Adam and Brady arrive later this week.

Abby was finally ready to roll out at about 4:15, so we picked her up from her dorm and went by Nothing Bundt Cakes and Chick Fil A so she could redeem some birthday freebies. And then it was on to Red Robin for dinner. While there, she enjoyed her burger and a birthday song and sundae.

Then after a quick run through a Super Target (because it was a Super Target and it was right across from the Red Robin so I had to), we jetted back to the hotel room. Adam and Brady called in to sing Happy Birthday and to watch her open a few presents (and to watch us drink the Martinelli's Isaac suggested we procure. My girl may be 21, but she's living under a covenant with her school to not drink, so she didn't! And she doesn't want to anyway. I really respect her desire to stick to her principles). She had a cheer practice to attend at 8, so after I presented her cotton candy layer "cake" we drove her back to campus and then returned to the hotel.

I hope that she had a happy birthday. It was a blessing to be able to spend a few hours of it with her and to give her a hug before she headed off to her room. She's sensitive and intelligent and quick-witted, and I know that she's capable of accomplishing whatever goals she chooses to set for herself. I'm so proud of who she is and of how I can see God moving in her life, and my prayer for her this next year is that she continues to let Him guide her path. 

Happy, happy 21st birthday, Abby! I love you way more than cheese.