If Not Now, When?

Normally we don’t get up for less than $10,000 a day, but on Sunday we got up at O’Dark Thirty (3:15 a.m.) for one of the few other reasons we’d ever get out of bed at that time: Bike the Drive!

Bike the Drive is an annual bike ride (duh) in downtown Chicago on Lake Shore Drive, which is one of the busiest (and most beautifully equipped with spectacular views) streets in town. The organizers close the LSD (yes, we really call it that) to cars for the morning, and it’s a phenomenal experience. The total distance, if you do the whole thing, is thirty miles. The last time we did the ride, in 2008, we had a great day. I just looked back at the blog post I wrote about it and almost choked when I saw how much my kids have grown since then, but that’s what happens I guess, when these boys just keep eating and eating like they do.

We weren’t going to do it this year. It’s an expensive venture, at $45 per adult ($15 for ages 12-17). The older boy really, really wanted to do it, and Jim and I thought that it was probably something we should skip this year because we’re trying to spend less in certain areas so we’ll have more money for our trip to Germany this summer.

And then a couple of weeks went by, and I entered my Crying Era*. Then, I got a reminder e-mail regarding registration for Bike the Drive since I’m on the mailing list. As I sat at the computer staring at the e-mail, I changed my mind about not doing it. What brought that on?

The older boy may not want to do it with us next year. Or ever again.

It’s these sorts of things you start to think about when your kid is getting ready for college: taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves, NOT putting things off like you usually do, and saying “why not now?” instead of “maybe another time”.

I discussed my change of heart with Jim, and he agreed wholeheartedly. I signed us up. It happened to be one of our better decisions of late. Not only was the weather totally perfect (the first time we did the ride, it rained until we returned to our car!), but the boys got along really, really well. Most often, they just tolerate each other. On Sunday, they were…interactive. Goofy. Silly. It put a smile on my face.

It started as soon as we got in the car, at 4:15 a.m. One was a little more awake than the other. In fact, if you replace the two of them, two and a half years apart, with girls who are four years, eleven months apart, you would have a picture of my sister Julesie (not a morning person) and me (SO a morning person).

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When we arrived in the city and got ourselves and our bikes ready, the older boy got himself psyched up for the morning** while the younger one looked on.

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First we rode south, to the Museum of Science and Industry (7.5 miles from the start) and then we rode to the northernmost point (Bryn Mawr, 15 miles from MSI). The 7.5 miles back to the start/finish is my favorite leg, because of this view of the John Hancock building:

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We always make a photo stop here. I tried to get a picture of my three guys, but the younger boy insisted on being up front. I have no idea why he did that, but I think the picture is hilarious***.

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And then, I tried to take some pictures of the the two boys. The photo session started off “normal”, but rapidly declined into something….that I totally love because it’s so silly.

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It is these moments that I cherish the most as the way we live as a family begins to take a major shift in a different direction. I’m so glad we had this day!

*Starting on Mother’s Day, I became a hot mess of random tears in preparation for the older boy’s departure for college this fall. I never know when it will hit. It sucks.
**Forgive the red eyes. I was too lazy to fix them.
***Probably why he did it.

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©2010 Suburban Scrawl

9 Comments

  • Heather

    those are some awesome photos. it looks like you guys are taking it all in, and thats all any of you can do! enjoy your time with them as you can! 🙂

  • Huckdoll

    Aww, I'm glad you had that day, too. Though 3:15am is … ummm … wow. I don't even know what to say about that but … wow! Impressive.

    Great pictures, and I think it's so great that the entire family got out to do something like this.

    PS. As I type this I'm watching your Lady Gaga on Larry King and actually liking her! Not her music, but she's a totally cool chick indeed. I'll be a fangirl before you know it 😉

  • Mom24

    I'm very glad you did it. What a wonderful day.

    I'm dreading this weekend (graduation). Too much emotion, too many tears. It will definitely be an up and down summer.

  • As Cape Cod Turns

    That picture is hilarious with younger boy out front. I love that Jim is taking a pic from behind too. That type of picture is one we take a lot at weddings, with the bride or groom out front with the wedding party behind. See, younger boy is in tune with wedding photographers!
    Glad you did the ride together! And surprisingly enough, I too was the wide awake one in the morning with my sister being the highly annoyed one 🙂

  • Tara R.

    Love the pix and that this 'in the moment' decision turned out so great. You have my sympathies over the oldest leaving for college. Been there sweetie, and all I can say is that it gets easier, but it is still hard to say goodbye when they go back to their other home.

  • john cave osborne

    i've not been by in way too long, and i just gotta tell you…that made my day.

    such a great decision you guys made.

    and your younger son? is it me, or does he have a splash of michael phelps in him?

    i hope our family turns out as great as it seems yours has. kudos. you done good.

    und ich mach viel Spas in Duetschland. (war das richtig?)

  • Mrs4444

    I love, love, love this post, because as you know, I can relate. We went camping on the spur of the moment last weekend for the same reason, and I am so glad we did.

    No tears for me yet. No idea if they'll happen, as I was the mom who waved to the school bus and didn't give a second thought to following in my car, haha! Time will tell…