Reunion

In recent years, the month of October has come to mean something special to us all. No, not because it's time to dress up like ghosts and goblins. Certainly not because it's the month of the Chicago Marathon. And, no, not even because the month of October has now been crowned with a 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series sweep.

Nope. October means that it's time for our annual reunion with the midwest travel group that accompanied us on our amazing trip to China. Every year since that wondrous event has been celebrated at the home of Mike and Cinda Z., parents of adorable little Mia. October doesn't actually have anything to do with our travel month in 2003. But it has somehow become the month most available to families on the calendar. And so it went for 2007 as well. Anita, Su (pictured in the blue sweater), and I packed up the car with CDs, books, and beverages and headed to the reunion.

While all of the families are located in the "midwest," we're not all very close in driving distance. The Z family are up in Gurnee, about 1-1/2 hours from us. One family is in Chicago. Another in Indiana. There has been a strong effort -- this past year in particular -- to find ways to keep the kids familiar with one another and allow them grow together. No easy feat, but certainly well worth the effort.

As always, Mike and Cinda were incredible hosts, sharing space, food, and spirits. The food was wonderful and the company even better. The kids had an amazing time together. And aside from some unanticipated wrestling moves and one bloody nose (the kids, not the adults), everyone came away from the day happy, fed, and extremely tired.

It is funny to see how the kids respond to each other with the passing years. The first year of the reunion featured more emphasis on toddler activities. Adults split time between watching kids, feeding kids, changing kids, and chatting with adults. With each passing year, the kids have evolved into independent little rug rats. They eat together, converse with one another, and bathroom accidents seem to be a thing of the past (thankfully).

And... the adults can actually find the time to really be adults, enjoying the conversation of good friends and remaining thankful that such a special event brought us all together.

I'm certainly realistic enough to know that life does get in the way from time to time. And there might be a point where these gatherings become difficult to maintain. As the priorities of people change, whether it be due to distance, jobs, location, or any number of reasons (no... birthdays do not count as an excuse), getting everyone together on one date might prove difficult. So we certainly treasure what we have right now. And we look forward to many more opportunities to share our lives.