Debe Maxwell, CRS and Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty issued a February challenge about what you love. Debe even poked me suggesting she knew what I would write about if I participated. She was spot on.
In 2016 JoAnn and I retired and knew where we were going and what we would do. We sold our home in Florida, packed up our stuff and moved to an apartment in the sky in downtown Chicago. Here is the why.
In 1990, we moved from Long Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago to Palm City, Florida to be closer to JoAnn's parents. As we were exiting Chicago my son Bradley looked out of the rear window and said "I'll be back". He continued to vow he would return after graduating from college. We thought it was funny. Not so funny! In May of 2002 he graduated from the University of Florida. Two days later Brad and I were in a rented van with his possessions driving to downtown Chicago and his studio apartment. The joke was on us.
So wanting to be closer to our son we followed. Also in 2016, he married Stephanie and expanded our family. One evening they came to our place and presented JoAnn with a wrapped box. Inside were a pair of miniature blue Nike shoes. And on June 2, 2018 the family expanded with the birth of our grandson Bradley Jr. Yes, you guessed it we were the primary care takers while they worked. We became very attached. We thought we would have more time to ourselves once he started school.
Another surprise on March 17, 2022 family expansion continued with the birth of our granddaughter Vivian. Yep, we became the week day caretakers for both. Vivian immediately developed a close relationship with JoAnn. Papa's little prince Bradley and princess Vivian consumed our time as they vied for our attention.
The city was changing after Covid and we chose to move to the suburbs, actually exurbia called Oswego where we purchased a townhome. The what is not to love continues with frequent weekend visits. Little Bradley claims one bedroom as his and Vivian claims the other. Parents are allowed for sleeping purposes.
And that is what this retired guy loves! So this is my submission for the February challenge.
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