Thursday, February 27, 2025

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Day 198

Good morning, everyone!

Thank you for being part of Andy’s Army. Every morning when I wake up, I’m humbled that so many of you want to read about my life with ALS and how we’re managing this shitty disease. And by “we,” I mean the collective “we”—all of you who are part of our lives, plus the ones I’m sure we don’t even know about. Your support, love, friendship, and joy mean the world to us, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

THE BIG EVENT Now, let’s talk about the countdown. 198 days until Nicole and Alex’s wedding! It’s a date that plays on a loop in my mind—every single day. And now, we’re officially in countdown mode. I can’t wait!!!

A Day of Lifelong Friendship Yesterday was one for the books. We took a trip out to Dixon, IL, to spend the day with Robyn and Jim. What followed was a perfect mix of laughter, a few tears (mine, obviously), hugs, and some good old-fashioned number crunching.

There’s something truly special about being with lifelong friends—the conversation flows effortlessly, unfiltered and honest, like we’re just picking up where we left off 40+ years ago…just a couple years older. And yet, somehow, there’s always more to learn about each other.

Robyn, bless her heart, should have been an interrogator in another life. She fires off questions at the speed of buckshot, and after all these years, she still has more question. It’s a talent. But the best part? She makes it fun. And then there’s her laugh—the kind of laugh that doesn’t just make you smile but reaches right into your soul and fills it with joy. If you’ve heard it, you know exactly what I mean.

Jim, on the other hand, is the quieter one… at least during the day. Had we extended our visit into the night, well, let’s just say the roles would have reversed. That’s when things get interesting—historically speaking, it could have ended with a pumpkin impaled on the garage door rails or an enthusiastic (and probably off-key) rendition of Black Betty, bam-a-lam.

Lunch with a Side of Curiosity We stopped for lunch in Byron at Hairy Cow Brewing Company, a great little spot right on the Rock River. I can only imagine how fun that deck must be in the summer—cold drinks, good food, and the river practically within arm’s reach. I stuck to an oversized hotdog smothered in chili and an American Hairy IPA, while the rest enjoyed the pizza, beer, and wine. As for the brewery name? My best guess is it’s a play on Harry Caray’s iconic “Holy Cow!"—but hey, if anyone knows the real story, let me know.

Even over lunch, Robyn’s curiosity was unstoppable. I tried to turn the tables, steering the conversation toward Dixon’s history. I wanted to understand life in Dixon growing up versus life today. That lasted all of 15 minutes before Robyn reclaimed her role as lead investigator and resumed the grilling. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. She would have made a great lawyer. Somehow, she turns an interrogation into a form of entertainment.

Until Next Time As all good things do, the day had to come to an end. But we wrapped it up the way we started—with big, warm, love-filled hugs, the kind that hold you over until next time. It really was such a fantastic day.

What’s Next? Today will be a long one—taxes (yay!) until mid-afternoon, then dinner in Grayslake with my high school friends. I may need a translator by the end of the night, because I can already tell my words won’t be cooperating. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that friends don’t care if you stumble over a few syllables. They’ll just laugh with you and keep the conversation rolling.

Here’s to another great day ahead!

Love you guys!❤️