Leo and Christy

Jill's Journal: In 1993, I was brand-new in Phoenix. A few cubicles over from my spot at American Express was a vivacious Brazilian named Leo. It was soon clear that life was a party anytime Leo was in the house! Fun, fun, fun. Leo and his posse generously welcomed me into their crowd and I can’t even guess how many times we all laughed the night away at happy hour or a movie or simply at his house. Rob’s strongest memory of Leo involves the 1994 World Cup – Leo’s native Brazil won and you haven’t seen celebrating until you’ve seen a Brazilian celebrate a World Cup win. His family in Brazil was on speaker phone and it was pure, mad, chaotic joy. Again – life is a party when Leo is around!

Leo has since married his sweet wife, Christy, whom we met just once as we were leaving Phoenix. They are now settled just outside of Richmond and had us over tonight for a delicious meal (Christy is a wonderful cook!) and some wonderful Virginia hospitality. Their two boys played fabulously with our girls and the adults got to laugh and carry on like in the old days.

And tomorrow we get to see them again! They’re intrigued by how we manage in a fifth wheel and want a tour before we leave town.

Preakness Déjà Vu

Jill's Journal: While enjoying Lookin at Lucky’s Preakness win from our living room on Saturday, I was hit with a major case of déjà vu. Exactly 13 years ago, the very last thing we did before uprooting our life (in Phoenix) and following our dreams into the unknown (Kentucky) was watch the Preakness. After Silver Charm was crowned on that May day in 1997, we unplugged the t.v., loaded all our belongings into a moving van, and drove a couple thousand miles east, ready for adventure and horse racing Mecca.

And now here we are, 13 wonderful years later, one dream satisfied and a new one brewing. Once again, we are now officially packing right after enjoying the Preakness. This time it’s not about the end goal but about the journey. But so much of it feels the same: two people (although not quite as young and now with three little people along for the ride) ready for adventure and eager to embrace what life has to offer. Major déjà vu.

Maybe next year we’ll actually be enjoying the Preakness at Pimlico instead of from a distance. Who knows? And that’s the beauty of our new life. Anything can happen.

Oh yeah. It was silver-haired trainer Bob Baffert basking in Old Hilltop’s winner’s circle again in 2010, just as he was in 1997. Somehow I’m sure he had a lovely déjà vu moment himself.