The Pieters Family

Thursday, March 26

Daily check-in — sent with love from home

A
Aidan Pieters
Tuskegee University — Tuskegee, Alabama — Year 1, Semester 2
Good morning, Aidan. New day at Tuskegee — and we want you to know how proud we are that you reached out to Mr. Myron. That took initiative. That took character. Keep showing up exactly like that. There's something in the log for you when you get a moment. Make today count — we trust you completely. We love you, son. — Mom & Dad
✨ Well done
You reached out to Mr. Myron — and that matters more than you might think. He said end of this week or early next. Fingers crossed. But the fact that you made that call, kept that relationship warm, and followed through? That is exactly who you are becoming. Keep it going.
Today's tasks
Follow up with teachers & Ms. Fleming
You sent the emails — now circle back. A short, polite follow-up is perfectly appropriate. Keep the relationships warm and moving forward.
Keep the good thing going with Mr. Myron
A quick, casual check-in goes a long way. No formalities needed — just keep that connection alive and warm. He's got you.
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 — let Tuskegee feel like home, one conversation at a time.
First cafeteria shift — check this off when it happens
Mr. Myron said end of this week or beginning of next — fingers crossed. When that day comes, this is the first thing you check off. We will be celebrating from Chicago.
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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

You know what needs to get done today.
The log is there when you want it — not a chore, just a letter from home.
We love you, Aidan.

S
Shaylynn Pieters
Scripps College — Year 3, Semester 2 (Abroad)
Barcelona, Spain
Buenos días, Shaylynn. Three days. Mom leaves Sunday night and she will be with you Monday morning — standing right there in Barcelona. We know you have been counting down too. These last few days before she arrives — live them fully. Go somewhere beautiful. Eat something wonderful. Let the city give you one more story to tell her when she lands. We love you from Chicago, and we cannot wait to hear everything. — Mom & Dad (con mucho amor desde Chicago)
Mom arrives in Barcelona
Sunday night, March 29 — Chicago → Barcelona
Tu español del día — Practice for today
¡Faltan solo tres días!
Only three days left!
Estoy muy emocionada de que llegues pronto.
I am so excited for you to arrive soon.
Tengo tantas cosas que mostrarte en esta ciudad.
I have so many things to show you in this city.
Check in today
Finalize Mom's Barcelona itinerary — she arrives Monday
Mon Mar 30 – Tue Apr 8 — 9 nights. She deserves the full picture. Sagrada Família (book tickets ahead), Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria, Picasso Museum, Park Güell, Barceloneta, Palau de la Música, Montjuïc, Montserrat day trip, Eixample. Add your hidden spots — the ones only two months of living there can teach you.
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.
Really strugglingReally good
Leave a note for home
Need to talk right now?
Words from home
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
— Saint Augustine
Tu español del día
Cada día aquí es un regalo.
Every day here is a gift.
"Not all those who wander are lost."
— J.R.R. Tolkien

The world is yours right now, Shaylynn.
Go live in it — we will be here when you check in.
We love you from Chicago.

C
Carolyn Pieters
Wife — Home base, Chicago
Good morning, Carolyn. Three days. Sunday night you leave for Barcelona — and Shaylynn is already counting down on her end. Aidan is pushing forward at Tuskegee — he connected with Mr. Myron and the cafeteria shift is coming any day now. This family is moving. Your steadiness makes all of it possible. Check in on the kids, send them your love, and let yourself feel the excitement of what is just around the corner. 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 and staying connected at Tuskegee. A word from you goes a long way.
Send Shaylynn a message — love & see you Sunday
Tell her you are landing Monday and you cannot wait to see the city through her eyes.
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

You are the heartbeat of this family, Carolyn.
We see you. We love you.
❤

Family Overview

Good morning, Martin — here's how everyone is doing today

Aidan
0 of 6 done
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 · Departs Sunday for Barcelona
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.
Daily texts — ready to send
Aidan
Morning
Shaylynn
Morning

You built this for them. That says everything.
❤