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Monday was President’s Day, a bank holiday and Misse had a meeting in the city. Since I had the day off, Frankie and I drove her downtown to the Rookery to meet with some clients. While we waited for her to finish, Frankie and I decided to visit a coffee shop.

Due to the holiday, there was a decent amount of street parking available in the Loop, so I was able to get a spot on Dearborn next to the Monadnock building and the Intelligentsia inside. I was definitely looking forward to a slow-made cup of coffee. Regrettably, Intelligentsia was closed for the holiday and Francesca and I had to make alternate plans. Since we only had about 45 - 60 minutes and we’d already paid for parking, we decided to find another place nearby for our fix.

The Barnes & Noble Café on DePaul University’s Loop campus does not serve the level of coffee available at Intelligentsia, but it the location was great. And it was open. While carrying Francesca we we walked over, she started to squirm and wanted down to walk on her own. I was a little nervous, considering it was the Loop and we were walking along busy streets at Jackson between Dearborn and State, but I decided to let her walk as long as she held my hand. It made me nervous, in that protective parent kind of way, but I’m glad I let her. She was super excited and pointed out all the things she noticed while walking: “That’s acky!” to the trash caught in a construction fence; “Birdies! Two! Walking” to, as you guessed, the two birds walking across State Street in the crosswalk at Jackson; and several shouts of “Girl!” or “Boy!” as she efficiently labeled the gender of everyone we passed. She’s still doesn’t cover as much ground as me when walking-since her legs are shorter-and we were in danger of not making it through the light in time, but it was fantastic. I’m not sure who had a bigger smile on their face: me or her.

Nothing monumental happened during our outing other than the two of us hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. I’m glad I got to take her down to the Loop and walk around with her, and I know she was glad to get out of the house and explore someplace new. Next time I’ll be much less nervous letting her roam around the Loop, though I may never let her walk without holding my hand. It was a great experience for both of us and she continues to add joy and fulfillment to my life everyday.

A simple walk can mean so much.