05/10/2026
This weekend in Chicago was one I’ll cherish. Celebrating Will’s graduation from University of Chicago Illinois filled me with so much joy, not just because of the degree, but because of everything it took to get here. (No ceremony…baseball games take priority 🤣
His path was never the “traditional” college experience. It was long bus rides, airports, practices, games, and constant change. From Iowa Central to East Tennessee State University and ultimately to the University of Chicago Illinois, baseball took him all over the country while teaching him resilience, discipline, and grit along the way.
Every stop shaped him into someone exceptional, not only as an athlete, but as a person.
But the moment that hit me the hardest was seeing the four stars on his backpack. Not for athletics. Not for recognition. Four stars representing a 4.0 GPA as a student-athlete. That symbolized years of sacrifice, balance, determination, and quiet hard work that most people never see behind the scenes.
And to top it all off, I got to spend Mother’s Day weekend with Will. Coffee at our favorite coffee shop, getting Chicago’s best popcorn and brunch at Curtis Granderson box office. I even got a special pink Flames shirt💕
I couldn’t be more proud of the man you’ve become, William Daniel. The degree is impressive. The athlete is impressive. But your character is what stands out most. ❤️We love you and are so proud of you!!
Looking forward to another year of baseball (due to a medical redshirt year) and another degree!! 📖