Visit From Bill and Daniel - via N.Y.C. and Belgium

 Bill and Daniel were in our graduate program at Seattle U. Danny (Daniel) is from Miami and Bill is from New York. Well, now Daniel is living in Lueven, Belgium, where he has just started a Master's degree in Philosophy at the incredibly prestigious University there. Bill was travelling to Ireland for his family reunion and decided to visit Danny, and us, in the process. 

We had a very special cohort in our Master's program and our bonds have not lessened with the passing of time since graduation. In fact, we haven't seen Daniel for four years and yet it felt as if only minutes had passed since seeing him. Wayne and I both just adore these two people and it was so wonderful to have them with us for two short days. (way too short in fact but we're thankful we had them here) We got word on Tuesday morning that they would be arriving Thursday morning to stay for less than 48 hours. Having visitors come to stay is immensely exciting for us, so to have a visit so unexpectedly was amazing, from these two, no less, was amazing. 

First embrace. Meeting Wayne in the city after work and school. "Reunited and it feeeeels so gooood" (had to)

 The most incredible Irish Tweed shop. This is the real deal. 'Kevin and Howlin' is the name.

 

 Loch/Lough Tay (spelling differs depending on map, both pronounced 'Lock')- this is the lake leading up to an estate owned by the Guinness Family. Hence the majestic-ness.

 They say the lake looks like a pint of Guinness with the white sand being the foam on top.

 (Guinness Estate below) If you look at the picture with your eyes slightly squinted, you can just see the rainbow arc'ing across the center.

 We had intended to have a magical picnic up near Loch Tay but it was frigid cold, then Norah fell asleep and as things usually go, (when travelling with a 2 year old), we ended up having our picnic on these benches, in small village, one hour North, next to a Texaco station. It was romantic nonetheless. Why they have a Texaco station...I don't know. 

 We made the drive North to a small town called Nobber (10 kilometers north of another small town called Navan) to drop Bill off with his family for his reunion. Bill's aunts, uncles and cousins live in Nobber (The Brennan's). It was lovely to meet his bonafide Irish family here - we all seem to have Irish heritage (which is what it truly is) - whereas for Bill, his family lives here -Aunts, Uncles and 1st cousins.

Sweetest thing I've ever seen (Norah looking at Danny)