After Mike and I graduated from our respective Ohio colleges, we moved to Michigan. There, for two years, Mike worked at Ford Motor Company as an engineer, and I started my advertising career at Young and Rubicam Brands. We adopted two cats, ate a ton of great pizza and Fatoosh Tawook salads, visited my sister while she was an undergrad at U of M, were taken in by Mike’s Aunt, Uncle, and cousins who lived in the area, frequently caught weeknight movies at the little and charming Civic theater in Farmington Hills, and we got engaged. It has been 9 years since Mike and I moved from Michigan to Chicago. Suffice it to say, we were long overdo for a visit. But what a great visit it finally was! We are still smiling about all of the happy times we had on our road trip last weekend. On Saturday, Mike, Eloise, and I had a blast catching up with one of our best friends, Lachelle, her boyfriend, Mike, and a very special visitor to Henry Ford’s Greenfield Villiage: Thomas the Steam Engine! Eloise was thrilled. And, to be honest…so were the rest of us. How awesome that our visit matched up with the start of “A Day Out With Thomas.” Then, we spent Sunday at Mike’s cousin Cheryl’s home for a cheerful, cozy, relaxed, yummy brunch with our Michigan family. It was amazing to catch up with everyone again and to see Eloise play with Cheryl and (yet another!) Mike’s three sweet kiddos. Our hearts are filled with warmth and joy from seeing all of these dear people and from wandering around our old stomping grounds.
*Lachelle and Mike. Thank you for a terrific day! We are so glad you enjoyed the Thomas experience with us, and you were the best Greenfield Village tour guides we could have asked for. Lach, your home is simply charming, and I love seeing you so very happy. I’m getting used to seeing you every few months…let’s make it a habit!
*Uncle Dave, Aunt Diane, Cheryl, Mike, Josh, Annie, and Lucy. (And Julie, Brian, Noah, and Lowen, too, even though the boys were sick and you couldn’t make it to the party! We will make a point to see you four sometime soon.) You all have always included us, supported us, and made us feel like part of your close-knit clan. It was wonderful to introduce you to Eloise, to meet more of the kids, and to pick up right where we left off 9 years ago. We love you guys! We promise it won’t be 9 years before we meet again.
*Buddy’s Pizza. I’m just going to say it: I like Michigan pizza better than Chicago deep dish. Square slices with crispy burnt ends, bubbly, cheesy goodness…it’s the best. Jets and Buddy’s were our go-to’s when we lived in Michigan, and Mike and I were pumped to introduce Eloise to the magic that is Buddy’s Bread last weekend. It’s been way too long, Buddy, my old friend.
* “Thomas: He’s the cheeky one!” Eloise knows all of the words to the Thomas theme song. Her rendition never fails to make me smile.
*Dress up. Eloise had never dressed up like a princess before. At one point during our family visit on Sunday, little Annie asked if Eloise wanted to dress up. Ellie said, “Yeah! I want to be a tiger! ROAR!” Annie showed her the princess dresses…and Eloise was thrilled. Brought back all sorts of memories of dressing up as a little girl with my sister and Kindred Spirit BFF.
I can’t believe my buddy, Hadley, is already 2! It feels like only yesterday that we were taking her newborn photos. We had a lovely (hot!) morning last Friday to explore 31st Street Beach together. Although the star of the show wasn’t exactly feeling it for photos, she was a top model and we pulled out some very sweet shots of one of my favorite families. I’m willing to bet that Hadley tries to steal the show at her baby brother’s 3 month session next month to make up for it! Thanks for meeting me, Hollye and Mike…it was great to see you!
Aww! You brought tears to my eyes!
I LOVE the time I get to spend with you and cherish watching Eloise grow up. You are already a wonderful mother to Ellie, and I am SO proud of the woman you have become. Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!