Sat 23 Sep 2006
Jillian, our new daughter
Since we were unable to bring our former third child, Mallory, with us from Hungary we thought we should get a new daughter to replace her, so we adopted Jillian, someone we did bring from Hungary. She even speaks Hungarian fluently! Actually she came over with her mom to enroll at UCF, but we have had the privilege of her company almost every weekend since school started. She has become part of the family.
One Sunday night as I was driving her back to her apartment (which she shares with three other girls intent on getting the most fun possible from college) we were waved in by the security guard at the apartment complex entrance. Jillian commented that getting in had just been particularly easy compared to other times she’s entered. “He must have thought you were my dad,” was her explanation.
It was then it occurred to me that I look like the father of a university student. I tried escaping this conclusion, but I had to admit that I was friends with her dad and considered him my age (even though he has a couple years on me). It will remain one of those moments in my life when I realized things had changed forever.
September 23rd, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Since you said on Grant’s blog to visit and leave a comment…here it is!
I have a college-freshman daughter of my own. I don’t think I am old enough to be mom of a college kid!
September 25th, 2006 at 7:55 am
I, too, think I’m much closer to being a college student (20 years ago) than to being a college student’s parent (technically in 1.5 years, if she dual-enrolls).
Glad Jillian can be a part of the family! It’s great to have a family to visit while in college.
–Beth
September 25th, 2006 at 8:30 am
P.S. In western KY, it is extremely common to be a grandmother my age.
-Beth
November 6th, 2006 at 7:15 am
Jillian, welcome back to sunny Florida. You don’t know me, but I knew your father as a child, we grew up together in Miami. I remember him as a funny and nice person. Keep up the smile and remember you are in many people’s hearts that you don’t even know.
December 19th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Dear Hertzler Family,
You are an answer to prayer that Jillian would have a surrogate family while at UCF. Our oldest daughter had a similar family while she was at Texas A&M - a comfort to parent who live far away from the university.
Our Bible & Life Group in Naples, FL were introduced to the Southards several years ago by a class member who knew them in North Carolina. We have had the privilege of supporting their ministry since then.
Jillian made quite an impression on us at that first meeting. It’s exciting to see how God is continuing to guide her life decisions to impact the Kingdom. Thanks again for “adopting” Jillian during this important time in her life.