Esme’s 1st Trip up the Arch (and a reunion): July 2012
Esme had never been up the Gateway Arch. Despite living in St. Louis for well over a decade, we’d only been up there a few times. It’s more of a thing you do when people are in town visiting. But, we figured at some point we’d probably take Esme (and Brynn) to take the trip up the arch.
So, in a story that will seem completely unrelated but you’ll soon find out is very relevant, Jeff had a friend Kristi Kutchback who moved away in 4th grade. They didn’t keep in touch and Jeff hadn’t really thought about it until, through the wonder that is Facebook, Kristi reappeared and got in touch with a bunch of old Wilbraham friends.
Thursday night, Jeff saw Kristi posted a picture of the Arch on her Facebook page. Jeff sent her a note — hey, you’re visiting St. Louis? We’re in St. Louis! Her response — I didn’t know you were in St. Louis! We’re here for a conference for the weekend.
Long story short, Jeff and Esme met up with Kristi and her family at the Arch on Saturday afternoon to catch up (“So, in 60 seconds, fill me in on what you’ve been up to the past 23 years”) and take the kids up the Arch. (Brynn was off her nap schedule and we weren’t sure how she’d do in the enclosed capsule, so she and Mom stayed at home.) Esme was scared at first, but then when she realized that we’d be going up inside the arch leg — rather than on the outside of it — she was much less nervous. It didn’t hurt that Kristi’s 4-year-old daughter Annie Lynn was super excited about the trip and kept reassuring Esme that it would be okay. (Esme and Annie Lynn hit it off right away, by the way. They were are big fans of Ariel and Jasmine.)
So, we made it up to the top, Esme had a great time and can’t wait to take Brynn, and Jeff got to see an old friend — he even pulled out some elementary school pictures to show Esme and Kristi and her family. All in all a memorable and fun impromptu weekend.
If you’re reading this in your email, you might want to view this post on the web site for easier viewing of the images. You can always go to the SmugMug gallery to download the photos or order prints.
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