Baked Alaska

 So it's been a minute, as the cool young folks say, since we shared dinner with Loni and Mike. They bought a house in western NC and spend lots of the Summer there, and we did see them for their grandson's one year old birthday, and had one dinner last VD at the former Shula's. But we missed them, and last night worked out for our meeting.

D1 was here following a local appointment, and she greeted her former AP English teacher and uncle of another brother -- I poured champagne and we toasted -- D1's friend Alyssa just had a baby boy! Alyssa and Freddy were, we thought, not in the market for kids, but at 37 Alyssa changed her mind, and a new little guy arrived at South Miami Hospital.

Mike drove us in his plush Jaguar SUV to Christy's, and it was same as it ever was. They celebrated their engagement there 39 years ago, and our server was a good deal younger than 39. We had some adult beverages, except for Wifey, and feasted on steaks, skins, salads, and fine company. For dessert, we went with their old school Baked Alaska -- something you don't often find anymore, except, I guess, on cruise ships for old people.

Mike and Loni had ordered it back in 1986, and it was still delicious last night.

Man -- how have more than 4 decades run past? How have we young grad students and teacher become grandparents? Our memories made together are so precious, and of course we spoke of the upcoming Canes season -- 3 weeks from tomorrow -- Notre Dame, our hated rival!

Loni is the only one still in the elderly parent business -- her Mom Marcia is 90 and living in Atlanta. Marcia was going to be moved back to Miami, as Loni is the main caregiver, but all agreed a move would be too stressful on her -- so Loni travels to the ATL often. The good news is it's on the way to their place in western NC. The bad news is we all agreed none of us are fans of ATL -- lots of traffic and far less to do than in our 305. But hey -- to each their own.

We drove home sated and happy. I slept until 8 -- for me, that's like a normal person sleeping until noon. D1 left for pilates -- Wifey just came down to let our affable exterminator access to the second floor.

My typical morning constitutional has been rained out, at least until the afternoon. We plan to savor having our D1 sans boys -- probably a nice dinner tonight.

She's already seeing this time rush that comes with kids -- her oldest starts kindergarten this week. From kindergarten until teenage years seems to come absurdly fast.

I hope I'm around to see. And hell -- maybe we'll celebrate a family milestone and introduce the boys to Baked Alaska...