An 18th birthday is an important milestone birthday, and yet, we are a family who loves traditions. So in many ways, Rachel’s 18th birthday was no different from her other birthdays. For example: she took extra care with such important details as her hairstyle (thanks to Courtney for the lovely curling!).
We had a tasty birthday meal with Grandma and Grandpa, followed by homemade brownies, ice cream and gifts.
But the *special* part of this milestone birthday had been planned a couple months in advance: tickets to see “Les Miserables” in Chicago!! The kids first listened to the story several years ago on Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre drama series. Rachel absolutely loved the story and has been a fan ever since. We picked a Wednesday matinee show, Mick took the day off and we headed up to Chicago.
We started off with a late breakfast/early lunch at the famous Lou Mitchell’s restaurant. From there, we drove out to Oakbrook Terrace, a suburb of Chicago, to see the show. It is hard to put into words just how amazing it all was. Incredible story … unbelievable talent. At one point, I felt like we hadn’t paid enough for our tickets!! So moving and wonderful. I just don’t have enough adjectives to describe it, really.
After the show, when we were waiting for Mick to bring the car around, two elderly women walked past, one helping the other. One asked “What was it about?” I’m wondering: how in the world do you sum up Les Miserables? The other said “It was about redemption and forgiveness.” Absolutely. Those two themes are at the heart of that great musical.
Right after the show, Rachel changed into her souvenir t-shirt. She was still basking in the afterglow. We all were, actually. For the next few weeks. :-)
So, from there, we went from the unbelievable heights of the most moving musical experience ever to … wait for it … the Chicago subway. :-D
We’d planned to ride the metro, both for the convenience of not having to mess with parking in downtown Chicago, and also just for the experience; even Mick had never ridden a subway. I’d done extensive homework the night before and felt very certain of where we needed to get off to be close to our destination: DiGiornio’s Pizza. We wanted to be close so we wouldn’t have to walk too far in 38 degree weather. We rode an increasingly packed subway and the closer we got to our exit, the less sure I was about where to get off. We started double-checking the iPhone and at the last minute, I panicked and decided I had the wrong exit so we stayed on for another 15 minutes or so, past many more exits, until we got the one we thought was the right one. It didn’t take too long to realize I’d miscalculated again. We could see the part of downtown Chicago where we needed to be, but it was pretty distant. We ducked inside a nearby Subway restaurant (which smelled heavenly of course) and tried to get our bearings. At this point, Rachel and I were starting to lobby for Subway instead of DiGiornio’s, but Mick had his heart and stomach set on real Chicago pizza and we agreed (pretty much). So we started walking … in overcast 38 degree weather … in "The Windy City.”
Rachel and Mick aren’t passing each other – she’s walking backward rather than into the wind! She did that for a long time. :-)
It was bracing, to say the least. A couple of times, we’d duck behind building entrances to get out of the wind and check the map again. After what seemed like an eternity, we’d gone a couple of millimeters on the map and had about 6 inches to go … or something like that. ;-)
During one stop, while I was consulting the map, Mick spotted a taxi and gave the slightest of hand waves and the guy pulled right up. As soon as we got in that warm mini-van, we knew we’d might the right choice – no matter WHAT the cost! Plus, it was pretty neat; we’d never ridden in a taxi, either. So, I couldn’t resist snapping a picture. (hee-hee)
So,after waiting an eternity for our pizza (I think an hour) and then another 45 minutes to have the pizza brought to the table, we all agreed it was the BEST pizza we’d EVER eaten! That can happen when you’re eating at 8:30 pm after a long, cold, windy walk. ;-)
Before we left the restaurant, we got directions from our waitress on the best way to get back on the “Blue Line.” Of course, it was much easier than the trip there, since we didn’t even think about using one “line” to get to another. The Red Line was just a couple of blocks from the restaurant, so we took that to get back to the Blue Line.
I took these two pictures, looking straight up, right after we left the restaurant.
Of course, the return trip was much more enjoyable. We were full, a little more confident about what we were doing and it just seemed more like an adventure – the GOOD kind of adventure. :-) And, of course, since we were tourists, we took touristy pictures on and around the subway!
I think I can confidently say that Rachel will never forget the details of her 18th birthday! Well, she actually has a very good memory for the details of any day, but this one especially, I’m sure. :-)
