Back from Iraq

So some of you may not know that James went to Notre Dame on a ROTC scholarship - while he loved his ROTC experience, he ended up graduating without the military committment (long story - ask him someday if you don't already know). But what he did graduate with was many friends, several very close, who continued on with a military career. One of his senior year roommates, Scott, recently returned from Iraq after a year long tour, and came to Minnesota to visit his sister.

The last time James got to see him was at Scott's wedding just about two years ago - he was deployed not too long afterwards. There is a lot to be said about seeing Scott. First of all, he looks just like he did when we graduated, which is to say he's always looked old and crabby. But truthfully, it was one of those nights when I felt like I don't understand how 10 years have gone by - jobs, moves, marriages, war and new babies. I wonder what our 21-year-old selves would have to say about our lives now. His signature sacarasm and wide smile was a pleasure to be around again. We are so excited for this new chapter in his life. He and his wife are expecting a baby girl this fall and let's just say his first hands account of Iraq hardly resembled any of the pictures we seem to get in the media. His tour sounded a lot like a Joseph Heller novel - full of plenty of absurdity and sorrow. It was a pretty funny thing watching him scoop up MJ after he'd been in the house for just a few minutes. He was totally at ease with a baby girl in his arms - I think that bodes very well for Melissa (and also would have provided some snarky comments from Scott's 21-year-old self). All our love and blessing to their new family.