"Slowing Down driving in...

I can finally breathe again"

        -Jason Aldean (Water Tower)

Had an opportunity to be home for a crazy, whirlwind of a tour of a weekend. It was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a really beautiful wedding (and a couple great parties!) and continue the research that Colleen has asked me to do at the last two weddings we have been to:  watch it not with a critical eye, but with an eye toward our own party that is now roughly 8 months away.  Considering how many weddings she has been to since college (10+) and how many I have been to in my life (4) it’s easy to see why I need to pay a little extra attention to the details! Especially if I am going to be of any use for the next several months of planning. 

The weekend started off with Katy picking me up at the airport, and an immediate trip to Pats and Genos Cheese Steaks in Philly. We bought one cheesesteak from each place, cut them in half and had a taste test. I can’t swear to it, but I believe Pat’s won in my mind. Then we acquired Katy’s cat, Yeti, and headed to Beachwood. Yeti spent at least part of the ride on my shoulder like a parrot.

A brief stop home and then a trip to Malvern, PA, for the rehearsal and party, and wedding.  A truly fun and beautiful ceremony, and a couple of fantastic parties later, it was back to Beachwood.  Colleen went to celebrate Julie’s wedding shower with the female portion of the family, and I was lucky enough to spend time with Dad, Smithbauer, Morgen, and Mr. Byrnes, drink some Yuengling and eat some meat on a stick. That evening, we got a chance to look in on the hall where our reception will be held, and were thrilled with it. The owner was flexible, helpful, excited about what he does…really a great opportunity for us.

The final day of my trip home was Monday. I got to take my favorite (almost) 7 year old to school. It started simply enough, Morgen letting me in, and a quiet 45 minutes before it was time for Jay to wake up.

Then his door was locked. And he was reluctant to help me open it. I played his “look for the lock thing” game for a minute, and we had a five minute back-and-forth about whether he would let me in.

Then he decided to let me in.

By slamming the door open and tossing himself on the bed. My man has 13 year old girl DOWN. Once he realized I was not his brother, it was like a switch flipped. He was fantastic.  He showed me his Cub Scouts Merit Badge. He showed me his Pinewood Derby trophy. He showed me the Batman stuff that Grandma and Grandpa got him in New York. He got dressed and brushed his teeth and we got him off to school on time.  I also got to have a lovely lunch with Colleen, her Grandma, Gram, and Aunt Mary Ellen. Then it was off to the airport and back to Bullhead City.

Another airport goodbye with Colleen, a 2:15 AM arrival time, and a negative report from the substitute made today a challenging day. But a productive softball practice and two happy cats at home made it a positive one.

Looking forward to the next trip back.