Going Through Life One Blog Post at a Time
Tonight was Darren Bickerton’s last ride with Big Tree Cycling. He and his family are moving to Naples, Florida and they leave tomorrow. Over the past year, he has been an immense help and friend to Andy. We wish him well in his future adventures, but we will miss you Darren!
It was back at it today – Women’s Ride Wednesday! I am really enjoying these rides and find myself looking forward to them every week. Even though I was pretty tired tonight, it was a fun ride and I am really glad I went.
I am never quite sure what kind of swag we will come home with from a Sigma Chi Grand Chapter. It is different every time!
It was an amazing trip – 2,600 miles in the truck, meeting Punxsutawney Phil, a great Sigma Chi Grand Chapter spent with great friends, being reminded that I cannot drink like a college student anymore, Andy’s induction into the Order of Constantine, driving to Brooklyn to visit the gravesite of a Sigma Chi Founder – William Lewis Lockwood, and time with my family. It doesn’t get any better than that. Now, to unpack…
Today, we are headed home. We stopped in Brooklyn, New York, to see the gravesite and monument of William Lewis Lockwood, one of Sigma Chi’s seven founders, at Green-Wood Cemetary.
While New York City was busy traffic as you would expect, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The kids enjoyed seeing the Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower even if they were from a distance. We spent most of the day in the truck and stopped in Pennsylvania for the night. Ten hours to home!
Today, Andy became a member of the Order of Constantine – Sigma Chi’s highest honor. Twenty plus years of alumni service and I cannot think of anyone more deserving.
Before I get all sappy, I wanted to share this picture first… Laura with the Sweethearts. They took time away from their lunch to meet Laura. They spent time talking to her and it just made her week (again!). I am not kidding. I really think this girl is destined to be a sweetheart someday.
Back to Andy now… His recorded speech was wonderful. It was amazing to hear him thank me and the kids first for all those times when he was gone for fraternity business. It was unnecessary though because we all understand how much the fraternity means to him (and to me as well, but that is a story for another time). To watch him climb the stairs and receive his pin was amazing. Just amazing.
I am so proud of him.
I took many pictures, but this picture of Andy holding his plaque is my favorite.
Congratulations from Laura, John, and I! We are so proud of you and we love you!
Since Andy was in meetings most of the day for Grand Chapter, the kids and I did a little exploring at Providence Place. On the fourth floor, we encountered Build-A-Bear Workshop and the kids could not wait to go in. At first, I was going to let them get a Rhode Island-themed shirt for their stuffed animals, but then we found Stormfly and Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon” (and a discount on the cost of both of them) and that was the end of just a shirt. John got Stormfly…
…and Laura got Toothless. I have to admit they are cute!
After joining Andy for lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hotel pool.
Once Andy got back from his meetings, it was time for the Sweetheart Reception. I think us Kassels clean up well!
As we were leaving the reception, Andy and Laura ran into Kelsey Maggard, the 2015-2017 International Sweetheart. One thing led to another and Laura ended up wearing her crown. I *think* this just may have made Laura’s week! She was so happy to wear it and hold Kelsey’s white roses. Maybe we have a future Sigma Chi Sweetheart…
