Or maybe even a sign.
Kaileen was originally scheduled back on July 16. It just so happened that my alma mater, East Marshall was playing in the state softball tournament that day for the first time in 17 years. I was already slipping behind at the studio, and had told myself that I couldn't afford to go, and that I would just listen on the radio instead of making the trek to Fort Dodge.
I had been asked to help out the Times-Republican Sports staff late the night before Kaileen's original session, but respectfully declined and told Sports Editor Ross Thede that unless there's a unforeseen postponement, I would have to work.
I went to be at 10 p.m... and set my alarm for 3:30 a.m. per usual... and it was full steam ahead towards staying on top of things, and forfeiting Fort Dodge.
The alarm went off... I wiped the crust out of my eyes and did what I always do first thing in the morning.
Check my phone.
And in a sign that just seemed meant to be... I had a private message from Kaileen's mom, Mindy stating that the flu was running rampant through their household, and that the last thing they wanted to do was to give it to me.
What the Andersen family DID give to me, however, was the wiggle room to make that jaunt to Harlan Rogers Field in Fort Dodge.
In the end, the trip didn't produce a victory like I had hoped... but not missing out on school history was a win in an of itself for me. I helped out the paper, supported the players and families that have supported my business, and everything seemed to work out just the way it should.
We did have the little issue of having to eventually find a spot for Miss Kaileen, and we did that. The last Monday in August was her eventual landing spot... and thinking back now, not only did we avoid the flu bug... but wen ended up dodging a whole lotta intense HEAT.
July was brutal nearly all month as it was the second warmest July on record in the state of Iowa. And just when we were bracing for the worst that August can almost inevitably bring, it was somehow bearable.
The 27th of August was a picture perfect morning and we were assigned with three dresses, some Rock Revivals and a set of skinny jeans.
A road trip took care of the two jean outfits and in the middle it was a roadie to my childhood home to knock off a rural look with one of her dresses before completing the dress trifecta back in Montour.
The discussions were aplenty between Kaileen, Mama Mindy and I. I marveled at the stories about how this family has opened their hearts and home to a whopping SEVEN adoptees. For most clans, Kaileen woulda been the figurative "end of the line" as the third of three "original" children... but not at the Andersen household.
They answered all of my inquisitive inquiries about the complexities of their family unit. And while I had a hard time fathoming their situation, there was no shortage of appreciation for what a difference they've made in so many young children's lives.
That's cool in my book.
The original delay in Kaileen's session inevitably pushed her into yet another delay. For you see... the difference between July's being behind and August's being WAY behind has no doubt caused some anxious days as our senior gal has waited patiently over the past two weeks.
Hopefully between school, friends, football games and that fun family, Kaileen has kept busy enough to keep her mind off the torturous wait. I told her that I would make it worth her patience... and I hope that my promise is backed up here in the images we all see.
It feels wrong to thank you for getting sick... but in retrospect... all's well that ends well, right?
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