Sunrise, Sunset

He was twelve that summer of 2012. 

It's easy to recall his age by what year it is since he is a 2000 baby. 

We were visiting my parents at their lake home in northern Wisconsin. Will wanted to take the canoe out by himself and explore Will Island on his own. The family had tagged this little bit of land that stuck out of Island Lake after his name and he was always proud of that. On this particular summer day eight years ago he was ready for his own adventure. I stood on the shore and took this picture pondering the foreshadowing of what was yet to come. I was excited for him to have this experience to himself and to get a taste of independence that he could call his own. I worried a little as he paddled further out into the lake but we kept our eyes on him until he was safely back on land. 

This year we celebrated his 20th birthday a week early - with a DQ cake of course! I strung up some crepe paper and got out the "You are Special" plate and mug as tradition dictates. I made a fancier than usual lunch that included scallops and shrimp per his request. We splurged for dinner too and got Mexican take out from a nearby restaurant and feasted on fajitas as a family! Wayne and I took turns recalling those days leading up to his birth twenty years ago and shared those memories with him on our daily walk. 

This year is different in that we celebrated his birthday early and not late since usually that day falls on the end of the school year and we wait until he gets home for the summer. 

But this year is upside down in practically every way.

As the sun rose early this morning he left on his newest adventure! He's headed back up to Minnesota to pack up the dorm room he left back in March and put it all in storage until the fall. From there he'll report to the Minnesota Army National Guard post in Mankato, head to the airport and fly to Missouri for basic training. He'll spend the next ten weeks at Fort Leonard Wood (not too far from where I grew up) where he'll be for his real 20th birthday next week. 

I guess eight years ago I saw this coming I just didn't know the details. I'm so excited for him to have this adventure! He follows in the footsteps of his Great Grandpa Hanson who was in the Minnesota NG during World War 2! We are so proud! And while  the feelings are similar to what I had watching him paddle away in the canoe, he's not wearing a lifejacket this time and we can't keep our eyes on him until he gets safely home. But I know now what I knew then ... his Heavenly Father won't take His eyes off of him. He loves Will more than even we do so that must be a lot. 

In so many ways I'm grateful for what's come from this lock down of our world. We've had Will home for weeks before he left for the summer. I had Mother's Day with both my kids!! 

Homeschooling took on new meaning!!!

circa 2013

We were able to meet his girlfriend who he thinks is pretty great!!(she is!) 
We went on many long walks together. 
We were able to have our family pictures taken (soon to be revealed!)
I had someone to help me eat my baking so I wouldn't eat it all. 

circa 2010

On to the next adventure!