Traditions, friends, and dominoes

Volleying stories on the drive from Austin to College Station shortened the distance.

Our lovely, delicious ( Gluten-Free, thank you!) meal set the stage for speakers, a visual presentation, then a Class of ‘84 photo. Kudos to the team that arranged all of it, even the welcome gift!

Tradition is a cornerstone at this University, so our next stop was inside the enormous Kyle Field for Midnight Yell Practice. This combo of stories, yells, two cannon shots, and the world renown Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band began the football game enthusiasm among current and former students and guests from the opposing team.

Upon seeing the sun rise and sharing more stories, we coffees and made our way to a new-for-me tradition, a “tailgate” party beneath a huge white tent, replete with Texas BBQ, a bartender, lawn games, and more stories.

We toured our beloved campus, noticing all the new buildings and the familiar ones under much taller and mature trees. For the game, we chose a comfy sofa that faced a giant screen, in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center to watch our Aggie team. At halftime, we moseyed north to the Dixie Chicken for a new perspective. There we met new friends and played dominoes until we parted ways for bedtime.

I woke up today with profound gratitude: for my college experience, my friend Shari, my full and FUN life, and my Mark.

A hui hou Texas A&M, Shari, and the dominoes. Gig ‘em!

Aloha🌺,

Denise