Hi friends, hope you’re having a great Columbus Day weekend so far. I’m dropping by with just a quick hello for you today and some pictures from our recent visit to Samford University.
Hodges Chapel, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
There’s a chill in the air these days in New Hampshire, though we haven’t seen much bright foliage yet. We’ve had quite a drought this summer along with many parts of the country and I know that can adversely affect the colors.
Oddly enough we’re at the beach this October weekend. YAY!!! My happy place. I adore the beach in autumn, how ’bout you? There’s a chill in the air and jeans and sweatshirts are the order of the day. S’mores by a flaming fire pit at sunset are perfect with the nippy temps and waves lapping on the shore not far off.
Last weekend we were in Birmingham at Samford University spending Family Weekend with Jonathan. It was a wonderful weekend and so good to see him again after little more than a month since dropping him off for his freshman year.
The family weekend was really special with many activities geared for families: soccer and football games, classes for parents, tours, tailgating on The Quad, vespers etc.
Jonathan with Mr. Beeson
Samford is a Division 1 school for women’s soccer and we watched the game on Friday night. These women are aggressive! You gotta be super tough to play Division 1 women’s soccer. (And maybe a little streak of mean.)
We saw Samford dominate against Wofford in football on Saturday. Woo hoo. Great weekend to be a Bulldogs fan.
There was a Samford Parent Association breakfast on Saturday morning.
And that’s when I heard Samford president Dr. Westmoreland say: “Our children are our messages to the future.”
Hudson helping Jonathan break in his new dorm bed (in August)
So powerful. So true. And I’ve been thinking about that ever since. Quite a legacy we’re sending on ahead.
Thankful to have many wonderful friends in Birmingham and that we were able to squeeze in visits with so many last weekend, including a drop-in, where one of my sweet friends was kind enough to make this!
Also our Atlanta cousins and family dropped by on their way back home from a track meet. Sweet!
It was hard saying goodbye to Jonathan again, but just a tad easier this time around. Why? Because he’s plugged in to various groups on campus and we got to meet so many wonderful people in his life. And that makes all the difference in the world to this mama.
So what are you up to today? Hope you have special plans to celebrate the long weekend!
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Aunt Pinkie says
So glad you had that visit with Jonathan! We”re off to a family wedding in Charlottesville, VA-woo-hoo!
Allie says
I hope the wedding was wonderful, so look forward to seeing the pictures. When we were at Samford last weekend there was a choral vespers service on Friday night. It was all acapella music, some in latin, by their award winning choir. It just rang and rang in that gorgeous chapel. You would have loved it and Uncle Bob would have too. Jon was the liturgist for the service and I know he enjoyed being a part of it. Looking forward to hearing all about the wedding! XO
Susie Mandel says
Enjoy the beach and wonderful weather! So glad to hear Jonathan is getting plugged into community at school.
Allie says
Thank you so much Susie!!! The beach was cold but a really fun time. We bundled up and got out there anyway. Hope you had a good Columbus Day there!
Carina says
Dear Allie, I’m so glad you had a chance to visit with your son, and that he is adjusting so well to University. Wonderful! In Canada, this is Thanksgiving weekend, so we’ll be enjoying a family dinner party tonight. It’ll be great to visit and…Yum, can’t wait for the special supper! XOXO
Allie says
Thank you Carina, I was so happy we were able to go down for family weekend. How was your Thanksgiving? I forgot once again that your Thanksgiving happens on our Columbus Day weekend. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast and visiting time with your family!
Barbara Child says
So glad you are reassured as Jonathan has transitioned so well to college! It was important for you as well as for him to have you there! What a beautiful chapel!
Allie says
Thank you so much Barbara, it was wonderful to be able to visit and give Jonathan a hug in person! The sound in the chapel was amazing. There was a vespers service that was packed in the chapel on Friday night with acapela choral music. You would have loved it. Their choir is spot on. Jon was asked to the be the liturgist for the service (ahead of time) and he did a great job leading the service. XO
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
How wonderful that you were able to visit your son and have a lovely visit! What a beautiful school!
Allie says
Thank you so much Kathy, it was a wonderful weekend! xo
Tracy says
I’m so glad it was an awesome trip! Love the photos. Yes, it really helps to see them adjusting well and meet some of their friends. I’m glad you were able to go 🙂 I’m glad you were able to go to the beach too! I LOVE the beach, anytime. My happy place also.
Allie says
Thank you friend, it’s such a pretty campus and we were so grateful to be able to go visit. The beach is awesome in the fall – I really do love it – even more than summer. It’s abandoned in fall – and I love the wide open stretches as far as the eye can see minus people. Sounds so solitary. (it is!) It was cold and windy and the waves were big on account of Matthew’s aftermath, and such a treat to spend the time with family! Just before we left we enjoyed hot apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the beach at sunset. My brother made the apple crisp — actually peeled the apples himself, so it was a real celebration on many counts. Hope you and your family had a good weekend too and many opportunities to make wonderful memories. XO
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie, so good to know Jonathan is getting involved in all the organizations he can and is surrounding himself with good people – I understand completely how that makes you happier and your heart a bit lighter as you head back home. So glad to get around to finally reading this post about your weekend in Samford.
I don’t know if you watch Parks and Rec – if you haven’t – there’s this guy called Jerry in it who is this total clutz and says the most inappropriate things at work, but when he’s home he’s this cool, calm, witty chap WITH co-ordination. Well, on his retirement, his boss finds a list of his “dreams” when he first started at his job 41 years ago and starts feeling bad that he didn’t achieve any of them. Then, when she stops by his home to commiserate, he shows her his family albums of all those times he got to spend home with his kids – over dinner, vacations, games etc and he tells her not to feel bad as his biggest dreams have come true in them – our kids indeed are our messages to the future – looks like you have done so good, sweet friend!
Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend – and stay warm! XO
Allie says
Dear Shashi, thank you my friend. I know you get it. Love these kids to the moon and back. Trying to stay warm here, but pretty chilly last night… I think Old Man winter is on his way to NH. Waahhhh….
Kellie says
I loved reading this post so much, Allie! When we went for homecoming it was so much easier leaving Erik. meeting all of his friends and seeing this new life he has and how happy he was made me cry with happy tears this time around! So, I am going to show Reid this post, he is being recruited by Samford for football! We are in the middle of many college visits! I am in awe of the beauty of the photos you posted of Samford. So stunning. & The beach is my happy place! Any time of year, any type of weather it is always #1!
Allie says
Hey thanks Kellie, so glad it was easier for you too leaving Erik the second time. It’s beautiful to see their plans unfold before our eyes and how they’re taking the next steps. God is directing their paths. Yeah, I had a few happy tears too for sure. I know Reid will do great wherever he goes and if it’s Samford, well they’ll be lucky won’t they? What a great kid, and Samford is truly a wonderful school – both a community and family. There’s a great spirit and atmosphere and we are so grateful Jonathan is there.