Girls turn into Women

A few weeks ago, Wifey and I were at a shiva call, and several of the folks there realized that we all had daughters living in the same Brickell area high rise. So I came up with the idea that maybe we should have a "parent's night" of drinks and dinner. Last night it came to pass. D1, her roommate Alyssa, and Andrea and Jessica as well as 7/8 of the parents, met at the Irish Pub in the building's first floor. We shared some cocktails and tales of the young ladies growing up, and savored the fact that we were all still young enough to enjoy cocktails out on a Thursday night. All of the parents were either Canes or Gators, so there was good natured ribbing with football season starting this weekend. I learned that Jessica's step dad Kenny was a Gator who never gave up on the love for the team he watched as a kid -- the Canes, even after 4 years at Gainesville. I had always liked Kenny, and now I knew he possessed a deep wisdom as well... The group repaired to a little Italian place up the block, where we were joined by 2 young men, who were some of the daughters' friends. Danny is a 2L at UM, originally from Chicago via Wisconsin at Madison, and Brian is a first year med student at UM. They both live in the building, too. Brian and D1 went to Palmetto together, and then he went to Penn. After a year there, he realized that his parents were wasting huge sums on tuition, as he parties just like his friends at Florida, and so he transferred to Gainesville. The decision was a good one -- he got accepted to several medical schools, and is now at UM. I asked him about his football allegiance. He, too, was solidly a Cane. There is truly hope for the next generation... The evening was truly exquisite, as we kvelled away as parents. All of us gave so much to these little girls -- super moms, and super involved dads -- and it was terrific to see the results sitting around the table. The group broke up, and Wifey and I accompanied D1 and Alyssa to their apartment, along with the spoiled grand dog. As Wifey looked out at the 36th floor view of the gorgeous city below, she noted that she and I didn't live this kind of lifestyle when we were 23. D1 and Alyssa quickly replied that they knew how lucky they were, and gave thanks each day for their lives...as my partner Paul's son Alex notes, some people "get it" and some don't. These ladies do. And the Days of Awe are imminent! Canes open tomorrow at Boston College. I have low expectations for the orange and green, but still look forward to the season. Norman just called. He'll be over for pizza, beer, and football tomorrow. Perhaps some other distinguished gentlemen will join us as well. These are the good old days.