Tuskegee University — Tuskegee, Alabama — Year 1, Semester 2
Good morning, Aidan. We heard you withdrew from the architecture class — that took clarity and courage, and we are proud of you for making that call. Now keep the momentum going. You have follow-ups to send, a check-in with Mr. Myron, and a chance to do something small but powerful today — smile at someone new, put the phone away in the cafeteria, and let Tuskegee feel like home. You belong there. Get after your list. We love you.
— Mom & Dad
Good evening, Aidan. Look at what you moved today. The architecture withdrawal is done — that decision belongs to you, and it was the right one. Whatever else got checked on that list, we see it. Follow-ups take courage too. Keep building those relationships at Tuskegee, one conversation at a time. Rest well tonight. We love you.
— Mom & Dad
Good evening, Aidan. You did it — first shift at the Tuskegee University cafeteria. We cannot stop smiling over here. This is what it looks like when you show up, do the paperwork, make the calls, and follow through. Mr. Myron saw something in you, and tonight you proved he was right. This is just the beginning. We are so incredibly proud of you. Rest well — you earned every bit of it tonight. We love you.
— Mom & Dad
Today's tasks
Withdrew from architecture class ✓
That took clarity. We are proud of you for making that call.
Follow up with teachers who haven't responded
You sent the emails — now circle back. A short, polite follow-up is perfectly appropriate.
Follow up with Ms. Fleming
Check in — keep the relationship warm and moving forward.
Check in with Mr. Myron — start date & paperwork
A gentle inquiry: when can you start, and is all the employment paperwork fully processed?
Call Ms. Josie & Mr. Larry — schedule weekend visit
Mr. Clyde's brother and his wife — give them a call and set a time to meet this weekend.
Call Ms. Jackson — check on her health
She was recently hospitalized — a call from you will mean a lot to her.
Talk to someone new today
Smile, stay off your phone in the cafeteria — let Tuskegee feel like home, one conversation at a time.
First shift at the cafeteria — did you start today?
Mr. Myron said by end of week — paperwork is done and you are cleared. Check this off if today was the day.
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How are you feeling today?
Tap the one that's closest to how you feel right now.
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Need to talk right now?
Words from home
"You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step."
— Martin Luther King Jr.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow."
— Mary Anne Radmacher
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
— A.A. Milne
S
Shaylynn Pieters
Scripps College — Year 3, Semester 2 (Abroad)
Barcelona, Spain
Buenos días, Shaylynn. A new day in Barcelona — and we are already thinking about you. Whatever this morning holds, step into it. The city is right outside your door and you are exactly where you are supposed to be. We love watching you live this chapter. Make it a beautiful one today, mija.
— Mom & Dad (con mucho amor desde Chicago)
Buenas noches, Shaylynn. We have been going through those photos from your weekend, and honestly — we cannot stop looking at them. What a trip. El Port de la Selva with those crystal-clear coves tucked into the Cap de Creus coastline, that ancient fishing village right at the edge of a protected natural park. Cap de Creus itself — the same dramatic rock formations that inspired Salvador Dalí, at the very easternmost tip of the entire Iberian Peninsula. Portbou, right on the Spanish-French border, with its grand old railway station that once carried refugees and exiles in both directions across history. And then crossing into France — Collioure, where Matisse and Derain invented Fauvism in the summer of 1905, painting that light that apparently cannot be found anywhere else in France. The Collíoure photos were — we have no words. And then Perpignan, the old Catalan capital, with its Castillet fortress and the Palace of the Kings of Majorca. The fact that you wrapped the weekend in Girona — the rainbow-colored houses along the Onyar River, those medieval walls, the widest Gothic nave in the world — we are so proud of the life you are living over there. And to share it with your host mom and Madelen makes it even more special. We love you more than these photos can show. Descansa bien, mija.
— Mom & Dad (with love & a lot of jealousy)
Mom arrives in Barcelona
Sunday night, March 29 — Chicago → Barcelona
Tu español del día — Practice for today
¡Qué fin de semana tan increíble! What an incredible weekend!
Gracias por todo lo que hiciste por mí. Thank you for everything you did for me.
Las vistas desde el Cap de Creus eran impresionantes. The views from Cap de Creus were breathtaking.
Check in today
Start a Barcelona itinerary for Mom — she arrives March 30
Mom is there Mon Mar 30 – Tue Apr 8 — 9 nights. She deserves the full picture. You know the city now, but think beyond your two months: Sagrada Família (book tickets ahead — timed entry), the Gothic Quarter & El Call, La Boqueria market, the Picasso Museum, Park Güell, Barceloneta beach & the waterfront, Palau de la Música Catalana, Montjuïc castle & the views, a day trip to Montserrat (the mountain monastery — unforgettable), and the Eixample neighborhood for Modernisme architecture. Add your own hidden spots too — the places only two months of living there can teach you. She has 8 full days. Make them count.
Thank your host mom for the weekend trip
El Port de la Selva, Cap de Creus, Portbou, Collioure, Perpignan, Girona — she took you to all of that. A heartfelt thank-you means everything.
Send a voice note or text home today
Doesn't have to be long — just let us hear your voice
Eat something wonderful today
You are in Barcelona — this should not be difficult
Do one thing that surprises you today
A street, a museum, a conversation — something unplanned
Check in on your brother
Even a short text from you means the world to him right now
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How are you feeling today?
Give us a quick read on how you're doing.
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Need to talk right now?
From your weekend
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
— Saint Augustine (you just read about six pages in one weekend)
Did you know? Cap de Creus — the rock formations there inspired Salvador Dalí's surrealist paintings. Those same wild shapes you photographed. Portbou — the German philosopher Walter Benjamin died there in 1940 fleeing the Nazis. There's a memorial called Passagen right at the sea. Collioure — Matisse said there was no bluer sky in all of France than the one over Collioure. He painted his Open Window there in 1905. Perpignan — Salvador Dalí declared it the center of the universe in 1963. The railway station still has a plaque. Girona — its Gothic cathedral has the widest nave of any medieval church in the world. It was also a Game of Thrones filming location.
"Not all those who wander are lost."
— J.R.R. Tolkien
C
Carolyn Pieters
Wife — Home base, Chicago
Good morning, Carolyn. Aidan is working through his list and Shaylynn is having her Barcelona days — and in just six days you will be there with her. Your steadiness holds this family together every single day. Check in on the kids today, send them your love, and let Shaylynn know you are counting down too. Thank you for everything you are. We love you.
— Martin
Today's intentions
Check in with Shaylynn about your Barcelona week
She is putting together an itinerary for you — Mar 30 to Apr 8. Let her know what you are most excited to see and she will make it special.
Check the Parents tab mid-morning
Aidan and Shaylynn's mood and task progress update throughout the day.
Send Aidan a message — love & I miss you
He is working hard on follow-ups and building his life at Tuskegee. A word from you goes a long way.
Send Shaylynn a message — love & I miss you
Tell her you are looking forward to seeing her on Monday, March 30 — she will love hearing it from you directly.
Leave Martin a note below — anything on your mind
He checks the Parents tab. He will see it.
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If Martin is unavailable today
You are the Backup Admin for the day.
Three things keep the family system running. You've got this.
① Send the kids' texts. Open the Pieters-DailyMessages file in the Daily-Comms folder — the templates are saved and ready. Find Shaylynn's thread first (Barcelona is 7 hours ahead), then Aidan's at 7 AM. Just copy and paste.
② Check the Parents tab mid-morning. You're already here — tap Parents and see how both kids are doing. If either one taps "I need to talk," call them right away.
③ The dashboard update. If you can't update the dashboard today, that's okay — let Martin know and he'll handle it when he's back. The latest file is always in the _Archive folder if you need it. The live version is always in the _Live folder.
You don't need to do everything perfectly. Just keep the kids connected. That's the whole job.
How are you feeling today?
Take a moment. Where are you today?
Really strugglingReally good
Leave a note for Martin
Words for today
"A strong woman is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow as abundantly as her laughter. A strong woman is both soft and powerful."
— Sylvia Plath
"You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously."
— Sophia Bush
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
— Coco Chanel
Family Overview
Good morning, Martin — here's how everyone is doing today
Aidan
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Tuskegee University — Alabama
Mood today:—
Shaylynn
0 of 6 done
Scripps College Abroad — Barcelona, Spain
Mood today:—
Carolyn
0 of 5 done
Home base — Chicago
Mood today:—
How this works
Mood updates, notes, and urgent call requests appear in the activity feed below the moment they happen. If either child taps "I need to talk," call them right away. Carolyn's notes to you also appear here.
Activity feed
No activity yet today. Check back after the family checks in.