I felt twisted up in knots as I watched this boy drive off on his adventure. He refused to take my phone and went armed only with a handful of printed maps and the knowledge that he could call me or stop and ask for directions....you know, like we all did all the time growing up.
He felt up for the challenge!
He called a few times along his journey to let me know where he was....Fort Scott, then the Grand Falls in Joplin, then Hometown Pediatrics of Joplin (perhaps a bit lost?), then Walmart in Joplin and Ernie Williamson Music (in Joplin!), then Vintage Stock in Joplin and Rangeline Antique Mall in Joplin, and finally Cheddar's...of Joplin....for a very lonely 3 pm lupper before he forged onward to Bentonville and into the loving arms of his Aunt Sarah and his very fun cousins... Karah, Bradley, Simon and Bryce.
They loved on him and showed him the best time. They played airsoft, swam in the pool and grilled out for dinner. He had them all to himself.
And then they gave him the very best Mathew send off possible. They clearly knew his love language...loving and goofy and big-hearted gestures!
I'm so glad we let him drive down and have that experience. He rose to the challenge and those wonderful Allreds filled up his happiness cup! That's a pretty fantastic way to turn 17!
I was not entirely lost! They changed the exit signs and google didn't update the names!
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