For the Better

It had already been an amazing vacation week. Just a quick recap...

We left home on Friday the 27th and drove straight through to St. Petersburg / Clearwater Florida. Kelsey is there all summer at Eckard College in leadership training with the Navigators group from Kent State University. We enjoyed several days in the beautiful area with a lot of Kelsey time, some deep sea fishing, go cart racing, a visit to the Bradenton area and watching the sun set on two different beaches. I will blog about those adventures in the coming days. We left Florida on July 1st and made the trip back in two days, arriving home late on July 2nd.

We headed to Columbus on July 3rd and celebrated Red White and Boom with Brittany and Sean in Columbus that evening. It was a beautiful evening, a big crowd downtown, and we just enjoyed the opportunity to catch up and enjoy the evening. Sean and I went to get drinks for everyone at one point and on the way back he asked if he could talk to me about something very important. As we walked he asked for my daughter's hand in marriage. It was a beautiful and much appreciated gesture. Sean took the time to talk to me about why he loved Brittany so much, how their relationship had grown, and how certain he was of their future together. He said he was still working out the details on how he would propose but he just wanted to make sure he had my blessing. He did.

We returned to Mary and Brittany and saw an incredible fireworks display. On the way back to the apartment we walked to Steve and Matt's apartment and had some great time there with those two as well as Amy, Paula and Gary. An incredible evening.

The next day we enjoyed more time with Brittany and Sean and then headed to the Dublin 4th of July Fest. The evening would include a performance by the Floorwalkers, Brittany and Sean's favorite band that is now based in Columbus, and then a performance by Earth Wind and Fire followed by fireworks. We met up with Lon, Penny and Dustin Janezic for the evening festivities and then a friend  of theirs, Jeremy Buschur, joined us as well.

The Floorwalkers were very entertaining. If you aren't familiar with them check out their music on iTunes. They will now forever be one of my favorite bands.

Part way through their set the world slowed down. The lead singer called out from the stage - "Are there any lovers out there? Put your hand up if you are in love." He then said something like "We have a great follower out there in the bleacher section that is in love. Sean - are you out there?" At this point Sean gets the attention of everyone sitting anywhere near us and basically the entire crowd is turned looking our way. Sean says I'm in love with an amazing woman, Brittany, and tonight I'm going to ask her to marry me. He turns, drops to one knee and proposes with a ring. His parents, Mary and I, Dustin, we all just can't believe what is happening at this point. Brittany says "yes" and Sean yells to the crowd "She said yes!" and everyone cheers. Magical. So well done.

We learned afterwards that Sean had contacted the band through their website and then traded emails with the lead singer to set everything up. No one knew what was coming but Sean and the lead singer. So well done.

Every minute, no complaints

I feel like my days are too full sometimes; wish I had more me time. But when I truly reflect on my day, I would not change anything. Today I had breakfast with my sons, then played a quick nine holes with Aaron when Christian had to work. I worked three and a half hours washing cars to raise funds for the band. Had a nice dinner and evening with my beautiful wife, then helped Aaron pack for Boys State. Full, yes. Complaints, no. Blessed.

This Time It Is Rosa Parks

When the children are all grown up and away from home I will miss evenings like this. And early mornings like this. This time it is Rosa Parks. A paper that needs to be written by Aaron - well just note cards and bibliography at this point. He is doing good work and I am just keeping him focused more than anything else. Oh how many times this drill has been repeated. I treasure these moments. I have always enjoyed the feeling of being up late in to the night; the solitude; the focus. Even when helping one of the children with a project, it feels right. I will miss this. Someday. Only a few more years.

A Little Bit of Everything

Mary and I traveled to Kent State today. Kelsey had returned for the semester last week and stayed with a friend, Abby. We took more of her stuff up today and joined her for lunch, along with Abby and Janine. What a wonderful lunch of conversation and sharing! Kelsey is so comfortable at Kent, and was so excited to be back there for this semester. It is heartwarming as a parent to see your child in that way - finding their own place and their own way and being so comfortable in their own skin!

I titled this post A Little Bit of Everything in reference to a great song shared by Amy McGrew. The song is by the Dawes and is definitely worth checking out.

Kelsey is living life and taking time to experience a  little bit of everything. Keep doing what you do Kelsey!

A Little Bit of Everything - the Dawes