A Tale of Two Homecomings

When we were touring schools with Owen, we were advised by multiple colleges that we should make sure that our child spends at least the first six weeks of college on campus, rather than going home, in order to ensure that they develop those relationships that will get them through tough times and mid-terms. And so even though Owen actually came to DC (or rather to Movement in Crystal City) with the climbing club one month into his college experience, we didn't let him stop by the house to say "hi" (also, he didn't ask to) out of deference for his academic and social success.

But we still miss the kid and have been wanting to see him (not to mention we did sort of still owe him a birthday present), and while the administration had warned us about him coming home, nobody had said anything about us going to him. So we made a plan to get the band back together one Saturday after orchestra, where we could see Owen, drop off a brand new bike, and then take him out for a nice meal. Allen picked up a bike from the Daily Rider with all the extra accoutrements Owen requested (a kickstand and a water bottle holder) and made a reservation for the four of us at a lovely seafood place that also has some great vegetarian options.

And then Noa informed us that Burke's Homecoming was Saturday night and not the Friday that we had thought.

I was a little bummed not to get to see Noa get ready for the dance and take the obligatory pictures (they even borrowed a top for me for the "Hollywood" theme), but they promised to take at least one picture at the dance for us to see. So we got back from DCYOP, Allen and I headed to St. Mary's where we met Owen in the driveway in front of his dorm (apparently he inherited his grandfather's love of Find a Friend. After taking his new bike for a spin and securing it in the bike room, he took us on a tour of his favorite haunts on campus (including a demo of the climbing wall), demonstrated alternative entries to his dorm room, and then showed us how quickly he can get to the climbing wall and back after realizing he'd left his phone there. After he reclaimed it, we headed off to a lovely restaurant on the water where we talked politics, Allen and Owen talked baseball, and we all discussed how the semester was going. After splitting a slide of chocolate cake, we headed back to his hall where we got in a lot of hugs and told him we'd see him in a few weeks for Parent's Weekend.

Meanwhile, Noa got ready all by themselves and took the metro up to Burke to meet their friends for Pho before the dance itself. Once there, they rocked on, took a lot of photo booth pics and had a great time.

We headed back right around the time the dance was starting, got home and was about 30 minutes into the most recent episode of Rings of Power before we got a text from Noa asking for a ride home. So we headed back to the car, and drove 45 minutes to Burke where we found an elated and exhausted Noa who chatted with us for some of the drive home before we all crashed.

(To see all the weekend pictures, click here.)

50 Percent More than 10!

Fourteen started rough. September is always a hard month for Noa, but this past year it included entering high school as a freshman at a place they didn't originally want to attend and where they didn't have any friends. It was all very challenging. And then some other stuff happened. Things became overwhelming, which culminated in a break and a reset. 

Fortunately, October was better – upon re-entry they joined the school play as a Everybody's Dorito eating "Evil Acts" and became part of the theater clique. Noa went to Homecoming with a friend and started playing Diplomacy with a whole crew over lunch. Noa joined multiple craft and affinity groups. In the winter they were cast as an extra with a very involved backstory in Mean Girls. They once again jumped in the Potomac for charity (and this time they didn't fall). They joined Burke's softball team. Noa made baked goods for their friends (with various levels of success, but always mindful of food sensitivities). They made art and not so short stories and roasted eggplant. They were promoted to DCYOP's Youth Philharmonic. They applied for and got a job (which was only for a week and unpaid, but still!). The took more art classes and saved fellow students from exhaustion and poisonous plants. They finished the Capaldi arc of Doctor Who. They helped their big brother move into college and realized that they have strong thoughts about the brick ratio at academic institutions. And somewhere along the way, they found their smile again.

And so, we are cautiously optimistic about fifteen. In the past 12 months Noa has become a lot more comfortable with who they are and have surrounded themselves with some pretty great people that appreciate their awesomeness. And while I'm sure there will be bumps in the road, it feels like Noa has gotten better at navigating them.

So happy birthday, little one. We love you and hope your next trip around the sun is filled with light.

1. "I am a golfing god."
2. So many spheres!
3. There is only one true father. There are, however, a number of "dads" up for grabs at Burke. 
4. In case of emergency, there is a "Mark as Lost" feature on your iPhone. It is your best friend.
5. You can put a Duck on a leash, but you can't make them walk.
6. Feed the faceless baby.
7. Will ski for socks.
8. Ovens are terrifying. Stoves are fine. And toaster ovens are amazing. 
9. Sometimes your brother will convince you to watch a Doctor Who that ends with you in tears. And sometimes said brother needs to then by reminded that, "It's your fault for getting me invested!"
10. And in the immortal words of Quentin Tarantino in True Romance, "That's the way it goes. But don't forget, it goes the other way too."