This weekend, I’ll be visiting my son Joe in Detroit. Every visit offers a chance to strengthen our bond and create new memories. As he navigates post-graduation life, our adventures have evolved from setting up his apartment to delving into the routines and experiences that now shape his days.
Past Adventures: Building a Life in a New City
My initial trip in 2022 to Joe’s new digs, which had one window overlooking downtown Detroit and the other on the river connecting to Windsor, Canada, was exciting. We enjoyed favorite restaurants like Mootz Pizzeria and Hop Cat, and I stocked his freezer with homemade meals. We learned a lot that weekend.
I’ve been back several times since, including to his current apartment, which is within walking distance of the Detroit Institute of Arts and has an entirely different vibe due to its proximity to shops and restaurants.
This Weekend’s Itinerary
We think we’ll visit the Henry Ford Museum, a new experience for both of us, known for its rich display of Americana and innovation. We also plan to shop at the Eastern Market to cook a meal together, blending our love for food with quality time. If we have time, other favorites include the Belle Isle Conservancy and the Motown Museum.
Emotional Insights: From Conversations to Connections
Our talks often explore career choices and generational perspectives, reinforcing our mutual respect and friendship. These conversations bridge any distance between us, bringing us closer together.
Exploring Together
Visiting Joe in his town lets me see his world through his eyes. Here’s how we make these visits enriching:
• Tour Guide: Joe shows me his favorite spots, giving me insight into his daily life.
• Quality Time: I plan my visits from Friday to Monday, working remotely from his apartment on Friday afternoon, which allows us to maximize our time together. He’ll drop me off at the airport on Monday morning before driving to the suburbs for work.
• Join Their Routine: I participate in his daily routines, such as his work commute, grocery shopping, doing laundry, running errands, and attending local events together.
• Capture the Moments: We take photos and jot down experiences, cherishing these shared times. This time, he’s going to help me with some Instagram posts for Two Minutes Du Jour!
These visits are about reconnecting and appreciating the adult he has become and participating in his life. I hope you make plans to visit your grown-up kids in their world – you’ll come home with an all-new appreciation of who they are, how they got there and where they are going.
Two Links Du Jour:
1. The Eastern Market in Detroit is full of food stands, retail and more. It’s a year-round farmers market, and then some! USA Today has nominated it for a 2024 Top 10 Public Market.
2. Motown Museum – you’ll leave singing and dancing (one of my joys!).
Two Minutes Du Jour 