Tuskegee University — Tuskegee, Alabama — Year 1, Semester 2
Good morning, Aidan. We are so proud of you. Completing that cafeteria paperwork and getting Mr. Myron's green light — that is not a small thing. That is you building your own foundation at Tuskegee, and we could not be more proud. Today may be the day you walk in for that first shift. Whether it is or not, you are already ahead. Knock out your list, keep moving, and enjoy that Chick-fil-A today — you have earned it. We love you.
— Mom & Dad
Good evening, Aidan. Look at what you moved today. Whatever is checked on that list — we see it, and we are proud of every single one. The cafeteria chapter is just getting started — Mr. Myron believes in you, and so do we. Rest well tonight. You are doing the work, and it is showing. 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
Send follow-up email to Dr. Daniels
Dad already sent you the draft — open it, add Dr. Daniels' name, and hit send
Send follow-up email to Ms. Fleming
Same draft — swap the name, send it. Both emails out before noon.
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
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.
Really strugglingReally good
Leave a note for home
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. It's evening in Barcelona and we hope today gave you something worth keeping — a moment, a conversation, a view you won't forget. No agenda, no checklist tonight — just your mom and dad sending love across the ocean. We think about you constantly and we couldn't be more proud. Descansa bien, mija.
— Mom & Dad (with love & a little jealousy)
Tu español del día — Practice for today
¿Dónde está el mercado más cercano? Where is the nearest market?
Me alegra mucho verte. I'm really glad to see you.
Hoy ha sido un buen día. Today has been a good day.
Check in today
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.
Really strugglingReally good
Leave a note for home
Need to talk right now?
For your Barcelona days
"Not all those who wander are lost."
— J.R.R. Tolkien
"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."
— Anonymous
"She is tossed by the waves but does not sink."
— Motto of Paris (and a good one for anyone living abroad)
C
Carolyn Pieters
Wife — Home base, Chicago
Good morning, Carolyn. It's a new day — Aidan is working through his list and Shaylynn is having her evening in Barcelona. Your steadiness is the thread that holds this family together. Thank you for everything you do, every single day.
— Martin
Today's intentions
Check the Parents tab mid-morning
Aidan and Shaylynn's mood and task progress update throughout the day
Send Aidan a short text today
He's working on professor follow-ups and cafeteria paperwork — a word from you goes a long way
Review the morning routine card
Martin printed a two-column guide — your steps are on the right side
Leave Martin a note below — anything on your mind
He checks the Parents tab. He'll 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 afternoon, Martin — here's how everyone is doing today
Aidan
0 of 5 done
Tuskegee University — Alabama
Mood today:—
Shaylynn
0 of 4 done
Scripps College Abroad — Barcelona, Spain
Mood today:—
Carolyn
0 of 4 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.