Next Stop: BGSU

Today is Aunt Nikki's high school graduation. I know, seriously, WHAT?

I am not sure how it is possible that she is old enough to graduate. It seems like just moments ago when I came with Andy to Cincinnati for the first time.

Nikki was about 5 and was already asleep when we arrived. However, to make me feel welcome, she left an envelope taped to the banister for me with 6 pennies, a bunch of stickers and an anklet made of orange yarn and beads.

Smart girl, knew the best way to earn my affection was through gifts...still works to this day.
Nikki often stops by with SnoBug or UDF shakes, which makes me love her that much more. It also makes my spare tire inflate a bit, but I can't hold her singularly responsible for that.



That same weekend I first came to Cincinnati, we watched Nik play in one of her soccer games. I say play loosely, as she mostly picked flowers and waved to her fan section. Last Thursday, after her Senior Tea Reception, she and I drove past those same soccer fields.

I glanced over at my passenger seat and couldn't believe that the poised, beautiful, intelligent, amazing woman sitting next to me was the same silly, sweet, thoughtful muppet of a little girl who I first met.

I can't even start to imagine, nor do I want to think about, what our lives will be like, come August, when she heads off to college. Luckily she'll only be 3 hours away...but that's too far for our daily dose of sweet treats.


I think all of this, and realize how quickly my baby girl is growing up and I wonder if I can hit a pause button or put life in slo-mo. If Aunt Nikki can grow up so fast, then it's a safe bet that Addie will too.

BGSU BABY...