Yesterday, Taylor, Miss, and I arrived at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana about ten minutes before Ten. We met Alex from Admissions and walked with him toward Rediger Chapel where Tay was meeting the soccer coach and some potential teammates. Walking into chapel took me back 36 years when I first walked across campus with my new roommate, Barry.
36 years…
Miss and I headed upstairs to grab a seat and Tay went toward the front with his newly made soccer mates. The place was packed and full of energy. The speaker was finishing up a series on Romans 8 which was all about two of my favorite topics – worldview and identity. He challenged the students to discover their own deeply held beliefs, all while challenging them to follow the Apostle Paul’s lead in identifying with Christ. His message delivered, he gave the stage to a Taylor team of classical musicians who interpreted his message to some kinda Bach, Beethoven, or the like. More awesomeness. The hour was wrapped up by some Taylor rock band that led the entire place in worship. Everybody sang like their life depended on it. The energy was unbelievable and caught me off guard. I don’t remember chapel bringing me to tears back in the day but all systems were definitely go NOW…
That was only the first hour.
Chapel finished a bit before eleven and Tay was off to some kinda Finance class so Miss and I strolled down memory lane. We walked all around campus and couldn’t believe how much it had changed since she arrived here in 1980 and me in 1977. We had been back a few times for homecoming and to take the kids for visits but it seemed so different this time round.
We met Tay and Jordan, the assistant coach, for lunch. My how the food has improved too. Following lunch Tay went to meet Dr. Engineering while Miss and I took in the latest information on financial aid. 3:30 rolled around in a blink and we sat in Coach Ross’ office talking about Taylor and Tay. Just after 4pm Tay and the Coach went into a team meeting prior to practice and Miss and I wandered over to the dining commons to relax for awhile. Around 5pm we made our way over to Taylor Stadium and watched a bit of practice before leaving Tay with the team and heading over to Sammy Morris Hall to pick up his cousin Cam for a little dinner.
Cam is a sophomore here and he smiled wide when describing his community on First Sammy. He just declared Sports Marketing as his major and seemed pleased with his choice. We talked all the way to Muncie for dinner, talked his ear off there, and talked all the way back to Sammy too. He waved goodbye and headed out with his friends while Miss and I made our way to Ivanhoe’s, the site of our first date some 33 years ago.
Last time around I was too nervous to eat and ordered water after she ordered a strawberry shake. She got a mini banana/hot fudge sundae and I got the big Almond/hot fudge shake this time. No nerves. We sat and talked about the day while admiring how little had changed at Ivanhoes. It was kinda nice to see something the same. We wondered aloud what Tay was doing and a quick text later, we knew. He was at BW3’s with the team and then headed to a movie. Technology…
We dropped his sleeping bag, pillow, and duffle bag at the dorm and headed to our hotel. The vibe of this visit was beyond positive. From start to finish we had been embraced as if we belonged here. I walked out Wengatz Hall into the cool air and thanked God for such a place, such a day, such a blessing. I thanked him for Taylor.
Actually, I stopped – stared up at the sky and thanked him for both of them…
BUILT TO LEAD 