We woke up the next day ready to take on the world…

But first, the book ordering. There were so many. We were going back and forth between emails and class lists and professor recommendations. Painful, long, expensive… I think we were almost both in tears. I was realizing that I wouldn’t be there to just fix everything for her. I was wondering if I had really done ok at preparing her for being mostly on her own. It was all becoming very real. Plus, we were hungry.

We had this whole plan to drive into D.C. and tour, but now it was 11:30am and raining.

I was trying so hard just to hold it all together and she came over and sat next to me. If I’m honest, I’ll tell you that I’m a lecturer. I’m a five star general who can give an incredibly one sided pep talk. I just chalk it up to ‘teaching moments’ and tell myself it was appropriate and ok to do.

A verse kept playing over and over in my head – Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

This time, I held my breath and just smiled. I told her I better get something to eat, quickly, before I became an unrecognizable drill sergeant, yelling marching orders.

She sighed and said words straight from her heart.

In those next minutes, I’ll never forget the grace and love that came pouring out of us. It was Holy Spirit magic.

We ate lunch and did our first Target run. We went back to the hotel and asked for advice on what to do around town. (Brian taught me this tip – always ask where they would take someone to eat or tour – they have the best advice!) We learned we were just four minutes from the Front Royal entrance to Skyline Drive. I’d never heard of this, but was assured it was beautiful.

Oh. My. Word.

You know those car commercials that look like a never discovered mountain drive, with leaves falling perfectly in rhythm to the music? Yup. This is the road.

The next three hours were a blur of singing at the top of our lungs, video making, picture taking, deer watching bliss.

(To be continued….)