MorMor & MorFar’s 1st Visit *AND* Betsey’s Bike Race

I love love love this picture of my mother!

MorMor made it a point to have her and MorFar come visit right away. She had to see our new home. Good thing, because I had to have her see it. So, my parents came for the weekend. It now feels like our True Home — somehow I needed to have them here before I could really feel settled. We had planned for them to stay at a nearby hotel. But at the last minute I caved and couldn’t stand the thought of it, so they stayed with us. All 7 of us in our little dorm apartment for 3 nights. It was good.

I feel so much better now, knowing my parents understand — fully — what this whole endeavor is all about for us. I think they really get it now. I didn’t need their approval, but I sure wanted it. I wanted to know they understood what we’re doing here. Now they do. And I’m so happy about that.

And they always seem to be here for our biggest parties! We hosted an Open House for about 60 faculty, staff, and students on Friday afternoon. Coincidentally, my parents were here to help (they are always such a huge help with our parties!!!). I have zero pictures of it. But it is locked in my memory as a GREAT house-warming party that allowed Lehigh folks from the whole spectrum to get a firsthand glimpse into our new life as a ‘Family in Residence.’ And now that we’ve thrown a party, it really feels like home.

So, between that, and my parents’ visit, I’m beginning to feel really really settled in after this weekend.

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Also, while my parents were here — another coincidence — their God-daughter (I guess she’s my God-Sister??? and the bambinos’ God-Aunt??), Betsey, who is on the UNH Cycling Team, had a mountain biking race at Lehigh. I had known about this, and had planned with Betsey in advance for us to go to her race on Saturday, and then to have her team over for pizza/dinner on Saturday night. With my parents here it was even more fun and Betsey had surely never had such an enthusiastic (and large! all 7 of us!) fan club at one of her races!!!

Turns out Betsey is quite an extraordinary athlete! I had no idea that competitive mountain biking was such a male-dominated sport. Out of the 150 or so racers this weekend, only a handful were women. And Betsey was one of them. I have so much respect for her going for it the way she does! We had so much fun watching and getting to know much more about this sport!

So, we’ve now had a couple gatherings and a visit from my parents. And so now it feels like home.