Cris texts me. “Rds r clr…just cold as i dont know what.”

I text her back. “Keep us posted. Haven’t left yet. There by dinner.”

I text April. “What time r u leaving? We’re l8r than we hoped.”

“We are trying to get out of the house too. Our goal was 2.”

“Ours, too. Will prob b 2:15-2:30. Cu u there–wanna get dinner 2gether?”

“That sounds good! As long as not too fancy. I’m in comfy clothes.”

“U got it!” We agree to connect once we settle in the hotel. I continue getting ready.

“7.65 on bars,” Cris updates. “Second highest in grps so far.” I tell my daughter. She whoops.

“Tell her that’s awesome!”

“Keira says AWESOME!”

April texts. “On the rd.”

“On our way 2 get bagels then will be 2.”

Another update. “9.1 beam.” I tell Bub. Another whoop.

“Keira says NICE!”

We hit the road for The Big Meet. Will will be spectating this go round, but it is what it is.

“8.3 on floor. fell on front tuck.”

“She okay?”

I don’t hear back. We wait for the report.

I like these people, I think to myself. This is fun. I’m going to miss this when we’re done.

“Champps or Buca’s?” I text April.

“Buca’s,” she replies. So much for my low carb diet. That’ okay. The company is more important.

I love this little community we’ve found ourselves in by virtue of our daughters’ mutual interests. I love feeling a part of something outside of myself, even if it’s just gymnastics.

“We’re at mile marker 101.”

“No way! We just passed 106!” We’re a caravan and we didn’t even know it.

An update from Cris. “Vault 9.325.”

Jasmyne is finished. We’ll await her all-around score and placement as we continue our way into Indy. Tomorrow the updates will come from April, as Iris competes with the group Bub would have been in. As Bub will be there watching, there will be no whoops, no one for me to report it to as they come in.

But that’s okay. Because I want to know.

We’re in this together.

And I really, really like that.