Audrey’s moving to college.  She’s going to my Alma Mater, UW Madison.
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Audrey has been a part of our lives for 4 years.  She takes care of my kiddos after school and in the summer.  Her family and mine are intertwined.
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Anyway, her move to Madison has me melancholy.  It was a mere 23 years ago (holy crap) that I made this same pilgrimage.
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I moved into Witte Hall with my high school pal Jami.  I moved with one suitcase of clothes, my tiny little tv and a hot pot.
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Witte Hall

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Dorm Aimee

Aimee & Jami Witte Hall

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I don’t remember too many specifics about that day.  I remember we had to wait forever for the elevator and I remember watching my mom leave.  I remember that feeling.  That sour feeling in my stomach.  I wasn’t sad, or scared.  I was excited and probably in shock.  I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it.|
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I have mostly great memories of my life in Madison.  So many great times; Halloween,  5th quarter at football games, Mifflin Street Block Party, The Terrace, LaBamba burritos as big as your head, The Red Shed, Boots at the Essen Haus, Hempfest, so many things I can’t even list them.  I am grateful for those memories.
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Heading to a game

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We came to see the band:)

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Badgers!!

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Halloween.oh.my

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I made life long friends in college.  Mike, Eric, Korinne, Jami, Carmen; these friends I would later watch get married, have babies, get high powered important jobs and travel with to Europe.  Korinne, Jami and I were roommates the entire time.  We learned so much together.  We experienced so much together.  We made great, important life decisions.  We also made not so smart decisions.   We will forever have that connection, that shared experience.  I am grateful for those friendships.
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My hope for Audrey is that she will find a great group of friends that will take care of each other.  Watch out for each other.   We did.  Our friends Mike, Eric, Jeff, Jim and Mark took care of us.  They never left us behind at a frat house, never let us walk home alone.  I am grateful for those protectors.
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Enjoy this time Audrey.  Trust your gut, but don’t be close minded.  Keep your options open but stay focused on your goals.  Spend a beautiful day enjoying the terrace and don’t feel guilty about it.
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This time in college is short.  Live it each day.  Be grateful.
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Audrey Move In Day

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Hopefully, maybe 23 years from now, you will be grateful for your time in Madison and will be feeling melancholy for your Alma Mater too.
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