Good morning…
On Sunday, our 28 year old daughter, Tessa, ran her first marathon in Houston. What an exciting weekend! Our whole family stayed connected by texts, and the photos and text string are priceless.
Tessa’s alarm went off at 4:30 am, and by 5:45 am we left the hotel in windy, 31 degree weather. Tessa walked to the blustery start line, while Steve and I walked four chilly miles to get our first glimpse of her.
Steve: “Tessa’s on pace. We’re at mile 5 awaiting her.”
Jeremiah: “Go Tess.”
Adrianna: “I can’t believe she’s running a marathon.”
Me: “There goes Tessa at mile five!!!
Kyler: “Go Tessa! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Keep us updated.”
Steve: “Download the Houston marathon app if you want to follow her. She’s picking up her pace a little.”
While Tessa picked up her pace, Steve and I walked 3 more miles up a road without sidewalks. We waited at mile 15. She smiled and waved as she ran past.
Me: “Made hand off with Tessa’s drink. She’s looking good and strong at mile 15!
Steve: “She’s ahead of pace at mile 16.”
Adrianna: “GO TESSSSSS!”
Kyler: “You’re crushing it!”
Chandler: “Yay go Tessa!!!”
Me: “We are Ubering to the finish line in a warm car. Tessa is running in 34 degrees!”
Jeremiah: “Yay tessaaaa!”
Steve: “She’s 2 minutes ahead of pace at mile 20.”
Kyler: “Let’s go Tess.”
Steve: “She’s crushing it. Just knocked off another minute of her finishing time.”
Steve: “Just knocked off another minute.”
Kyler: “How? What mile is she on?”
Steve: “3:19. Amazing.” (Tessa broke her training goal of 3 hours and 25 minutes.)
Kyler: “No way!”
Chandler: “WOW!”
Kyler: “That’s incredible.”
Steve: “She sprinted the finish.” (Tessa’s last mile was her fastest mile. 6 minutes, 45 seconds.)
Kyler: “Just booked our flights to Boston 2026!”
Adrianna: “WOOHOO TESS.”
Jeremiah: “GOOOOO TESS! did u pee ur pants?”
Tessa: “lol. Yay!! This is fun to read back and see the texts! Boston here we come!!”
Tessa: “They’re acting like they ran a marathon. Mom and dad are already two naps in for the day.”
What an amazing family affair. The Spirit of God living in each of us rose up across several state lines to bond us throughout Tessa’s great adventure!
Seize life! Eat bread with gusto. Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! (Ecclesiastes 9:7, MSG).
…Sue…
