Memorial Day weekend, Alex and I headed to Rhode Island with his best friend Josh and Josh's wife Kate. We took the 3 hour car ride up to Brown. After running around campus for a bit, we finally settled in our dorm room (just 1 room away from where Alex had lived 9 years ago!). We quickly got freshened up, and headed to campus dance. The entire green was transformed into a Great Gatsby themed party - complete with a hoppin' band, spiffy lighting, and crowds of guests. At a crazy hour of the morning, the only sober person in the group drove us to a house party at a very sweet alum's home. We enjoyed delicious appetizers and gossip from Alex's college years. The next day we got an early start. Alex gave me a tour of the campus before we headed to Field Day where we met the rest those there for their 5 year reunion. We spent the day outside enjoying the weather, eating hot dogs and ice cream, and mingling with Alex's classmates. We finished up the day at the top of the library looking at the view from the highest point in Providence. That evening we ate a quick dinner and went to a dance held at a dining hall on campus. We finished up the night at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house (Alex's frat). Sunday was our final day of festivities. We went to the Brown graduation which is quite the event - full of tradition and just so much school pride. It was wonderful. We had a traffic free drive back to NYC. It was such a lovely weekend and a great glimpse into what Alex's college experience was like.
The next weekend I drove down to Delaware with Chris, Lyle, and Emily in somewhat stormy weather for my 5 year reunion at the University of Delaware. Alex met us there after a ride on the Amtrak and (thank goodness) I was able to get a cab to pick him up and drive him over to the residence hall where we stayed. We met my college roommates at Klondike Kate's, a staple on Main Street. We shared the traditional nachos and beers and went to Grotto's for some beer and socializing. The next day I gave Alex and Emily a tour of the UD campus (trying hard to recall all the details from my days as a tour guide). It is so beautiful and brings back so many wonderful memories. We checked out Newark Day where all of the businesses on Main Street open up pop up tents on the street and grabbed a bite to eat. Then came Mug Night - the most fun party for UD alumni full of booze and great music and lots of mingling. The night ended at the Deer Park Tavern and with a lot of water. The next day we grabbed bagels and drove back to NYC. It was really great to give Alex a taste of what college had been like at UD.
It doesn't feel like 5 years have passed since college. But I realize that I drank a lot less, appreciated the campus a lot more, and am more grateful than ever for all of the wonderful memories of 4 amazing years that flew by way too fast. 5 years after college. I've come a long way.
(PS - How cute are the state flags for Rhode Island and Delaware?)
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