November 7

Today was the first official day of Wheaton Family Weekend, so I went over to campus to visit Abby (albeit briefly) near the end of her shift at CPO (the college post office). When I arrived she was stationed at her beloved "door" and we shared an impactful 60 seconds of conversation before a student arrived to get her mail.

So off I went with the intent of visiting the welcome area, but I heard someone calling "Mrs. Wight!" and looked up to see Ashley and Tim --Abby's friends-- coming down the stairs. We chatted for a few minutes --during which I learned a little more about our friend John's hometown of Normal, IL, which is adjacent to Tim's city of origin-- and then I spied Abby emerging from Door and sneaking away to her class.

I nabbed her before she could get away and forced her to take a photo with me in the "photo booth" area. She wasn't interested in the props available, but I made good use of a pair of cool sunglasses and a Best Parent Ever sign. And then we parted ways. 

Then I was left to my own devices for a few hours, so I took a walk around campus. It was a gorgeous Fall afternoon --64 degrees, sunny, blue sky-- and I soaked in the reds and oranges and yellows of the leaves. It was truly a blessedly beautiful day outside; the kind that makes you thank God for creation.

After the sun had set, I got in the car and drove to Midway to pick up Adam and Brady. The signage is not awesome (or particularly accurate), so I wound up having to circle the airport (in the dark) more than once to find them, but they mercifully appeared just as I was nearing meltdown mode. Once they were tucked safely into the van, we headed back to Wheaton, picked up Abby from her dorm, and went to Culver's for dinner. Abby enjoyed her reunion with Bearbs, Brady gutted his way through a shockingly green malted something or other, and we all consumed cheese curds. 

And now, after post-meal time in the gym with Brady, I'm back in the hotel room listening to said-child exclaim "bruh!" over and over again as he tries to figure out how the shower nozzle works. (In his defense, it is not obvious.) 

So today, I'm thankful for good weather, successful and mostly uneventful travel, and family. Definitely family, because my family is one of God's biggest gifts to me.