Our nest may be quiet, but love echoes louder than ever, my heart has stretch marks…. It wraps all the way around Lake Michigan 🌊
I’d rather think of myself as a bird launcher, than an “empty nester”.
what a gift this time is. 🎁
How amazing we were able to have a motherhood.
How blessed were we to be there for all of their milestones with front row seats to experience the world through fresh eyes filled with wonder and awe. 🌎 🌍 🌏
Their childhood was my motherhood, and what an extraordinary chapter it was. I savored every moment, even the hard ones, because being their mom has been the most meaningful experience I could ever hope for. It wasn’t always easy, it was challenging and exhausting at times, but it was the most rewarding adventure, and I wouldn’t trade a single second of it.
But…ladies, I think our pink is coming back!
Celebrate! turn your quiet house into a sanctuary or personal Air BnB. 🏖️
Come home to yourself. 💕
Graduate to the next chapter 🧑🎓
My own childhood was the eldest daughter and caretaker. Not really a sibling per se.
I’ve been doing all the invisible work of keeping a household running, forms filled out, dogs fed, outfits planned, maintenance scheduled, presents purchased, parties planned …
Here is a permission slip from the universe to Return to Myself
Connect, self care, solitude, ease, joy, gentleness … ☀️
What a gift a quiet house is, to think, to breathe, to just BE
Human BEing
BE KIND
BE BRAVE
BE CURIOUS
How can we contribute to the community and world beyond our family?
What are your dreams? Will they change just you, or will they change the world?
🦋 what if we don’t need to quit our jobs, retire or pack up and move to a new city, what if we can grow wings right where we are? 🦋
After you feel all the feels, open the door, and let possibility inside. 🍀
Embrace all the extra room in your mind now, learn Italian, go for a bike ride, learn how to play guitar or crochet, memorize all the bird songs in your backyard.
If you feel an emptiness in your heart or your schedule, reclaim it!
Twenty-five years, and here we stand, Side by side, still hand in hand.
From vows we spoke to dreams we made, Through love and laughter, we’ve stayed brave.
We’ve raised two sons, our greatest pride, Michael’s found his stunning bride. This year we gain sweet Sabryn too Our family grows, our love feels new.
And Finnegan, with his spark so bright, Keeps our hearts forever light.
Our nest will soon quiet, just us two, But what a life I’ve lived with you.
We’ll cheer them on, though hearts may ache, As quiet fills the home we made.
Empty nesters, just us two, A brand new chapter, bold and new.
So here’s to us, to all we’ve done, To years of love, and still more fun.
A life of laughter, depth, and grace Of knowing love in every space.
From first sweet kiss to family life, I’m so proud to be your wife.
Happy 25th Anniversary Ryan!
I don’t take for granted all of the blessings we have been given. I love you.
***********
I can’t wait to annoy you from our first kiss to our last breath.
Renew our vows – three things I’m sorry for three things. I’m grateful for and three promises for the future.
Grateful: making babies with you, supporting me through school and work, team work on the house and kids, supporting me to follow all my dreams.
Promises: take care of you in sickness and health, deep conversations, make sure we both enjoy empty nesting
We have the same values and we live our lives moving together. Here’s a toast to 25 years of marriage.
When we met, you deserved better, and I can’t see you with anyone else, so I became better ….
1998Erick’s WeddingDecember 2024❤️2000200020002000Siblings BailliesKeegans Bridesmaids 💕Wedding Party 💒🍰
I found love when I found you When I look in your eyes, I know it’s true My life was lonely, broken and blue Then I found love, when I found you
Once in a lifetime, that’s how it feels Something so good (so damn good) How can it be real Girl, when you touch me
You touch me through and through I know I found love when I found you Girl, you’ve got all of me And I want you to know
There’s nothin’ in this crazy ol’ world Could make me want to let you go ‘Cause I found love when I found you Everytime I look into your eyes, I know it’s true
Girl, when you touch me You touch me through and through I know I found love, when I found you
Love is the universes wifi. Our bodies are antenna.
Love, dreams, emotions are just proof we are more than our bodies.
Every word they said whispers through the air forever. Every molecule which for a while made up your person, carries on in the air, or fits into a plant or bird. Every touch on your skin lives on in the neurons of your brain. Most of the atoms which make us up were born in a star. That light exists in us all. ⭐️ We are all made of stardust, we are all just light. And time ceases to exist at the speed of light. So we are all together in the now. Loving energy/ Consciousness/Life.
Your love crosses dimensions and never ends. ❤️ death ends a life, not a relationship 💔💐
Life is really defined by the moments we create and the love that we share together. So here we are, a collection of people that made up your beautiful, magical life.
I want you to leave this funeral urgently wanting to deserve the life you have left to live. That’s why we gather. Not only to honor him, but to refocus and live life to the fullest, with kindness, bravery and curiosity.
Why did he have to die? A better question is why were they given to us? What did we do to deserve their love and joy, the sweet moments we shared. All those moments are a gift. Their death isn’t a punishment.
Bats & Dolphins can hear shapes 🦇 🐬
Plants can eat light 🌱
Crickets can sing with their legs 🦗
Bees can dance maps 🐝
Spiders can taste with their feet 🕷️
Love can live on ❤️
LIFE ITSELF HAS NO MEANING.
LIFE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MEANING.
THE POINT OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, IS JUST TO BE HUMAN.
If I were to book a writing retreat for myself for a week or weekend what would it look like? And how can I do the same thing on a budget?
Coffee Shop ☕️
Nap 💤
Sunrise & Sunset 🌅 ☀️
TV in bed 🛌
Hiking 🥾 🍂
Meditations 🧘♀️
Library 📚
Take out Chinese 🥢
When the kids are gone and Ryan’s coaching or at the bar … soak up this time alone, and pretend I booked myself a solo vacation, and create my own little writing retreat. ✍️
I am so proud of you! Not just because you’re graduating MHS today, but because you are a fabulous human and I am so lucky to be your mom! 🍀 💕 My heart is simultaneously exploding with joy and breaking just a little as it aches to let you go.
I feel like I swallowed the sun as I am bursting with delight. This is your milestone, and I am grateful to have a front row seat to the spectacular unfolding of your life.
senior pic 📷 Lauren Keegan📷 Lauren Keegan senior photo2024 IHSA North Suburban Conference Sportsmanship Recipients Cooperstown Baseball ⚾️ Team Reunion on Decision Day 5/1/2025
I love you with my whole heart! I hope you always know I’m here for you, please feel both held and free by the support of your family.
I am so impressed that you fully step into whatever you’re responsible for, You don’t wait for someone to make a difference because YOU are someone!
Continue to live boldly and child-like. Your imagination will solve problems and create opportunities I could never dream of.
You are caring, hard working and brilliant. I know with all that I am, that you can achieve any dream that finds its way to your heart.
I love that you find the fun, go on adventures to Starved Rock to hike, think we can train a bobcat to dig holes, buy garbage bags and dish soap to go mud sledding on Election Day, going on the giant drop at Great America all by yourself, dress up for junior-senior wars in a gillie suit, go all-in for silly games like senior assassin, collecting pins at Cooperstown or playing neighborhood whiffle or pickle ball. I know you’ll be the same adventure-seeking human who follows his fascination at MSU and generally embraces life!
You amaze me. Not just by earning 2 varsity letters freshman year, the sportsmanship award for Mundelein Senior year cross country, Captain of the Track Team Senior year, the Mustang Athletic Directors Award, breaking the 5-minute mile, multiple AP and honors courses throughout HS, battling health concerns, and taking it all in stride. You’ve worked hard as a youth umpire, in the little league concession stand, starting your own lawn mowing/snow removal business, park district fitness attendant, beach gate keeper, mattress salesman, and your favorite job of banner day-camp counselor since 2023. I know you’ll keep that strong work ethic your entire life!
I am so excited for your next chapter; not just when you’re tearing it up on the bags court at every tournament you enter, or having some laughs on the basketball court with your team 4 1/2 men. Follow your passion. Belly up to the buffet of life; Meet new friends. Try a new sport or game. Major in chemistry or not. Aspire to be a person of generosity, integrity, humility and wisdom.
I soaked up every moment of your senior year, it felt like life’s highlight reel. However, I always try to live life like it’s urgent and there are closing credits ready to roll… which is why I treasure being a “photojournalist of an ordinary life” but having you in my life, Finn, makes life anything but ordinary. I love our photo adventures, driving with you, getting coffee with you, shopping with you, watching tv with you, filling out forms with you, really any chance to connect and talk with you. You elevate any experience, with your energy, joy, humor, thoughtful questions, patience and love. I really am so grateful I get to be your mom.
You have an amazing soul and even when you meet new people they quickly recognize it (like your “guy” Emilio in Punta Cana).
Emilio 🥂 Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Year first daysFirst Day of Senior Year Helpful, Fun & Always Up for an AdventureOur photo contests and adventures ❤️ 📷 Freshman Year HomecomingFreshman Homecoming So much fun to cheer for! 🏃♀️ 🎳 Jetta, Bronco, Jeep, Truck 🚘College Visits My only advice for you! Beautifully captured …. In your adorable 9-year old handwriting (and on my favorite Christmas present from you!)
Be kind to yourself and to others.
Be curious about life and follow your fascination.
Be brave and stand up for what is right, try new things, keep learning and growing… and sometimes bravery feels like fear, but keep going!
❤️ we are your biggest fans ❤️
Remember your dreams, keep dreaming big. Who especially could these dreams belong to except for you? And to quote my favorite show …
Derry Girls 📺
As you head off to college, remember if you can’t find a friend, be one. Be yourself out there.
Your only Rx is a daily dose of novelty: try something new, talk to someone new, walk around being genuinely curious.
Lace up your running shoes; as you learned all through high school, they can take you places you didn’t think you could go!
Have an amazing adventure! Seek wonder and awe. Please call or text whenever you want to or need to, I’ll always be here for you. I love you Finnegan! Happy Graduation!! 🧑🎓
Kindergarten to Senior YearLast Day of Senior Year Warren Meet Sept 21, 2024❤️Senior Homecomingselfie with my handsome guy – senior homecoming❤️I’ve loved you since the day I met youI’ll never forget going to one of the largest gatherings in human history with you ⚾️If I can do it, you can do it! Go chase your dreams! ❄️ ⛄️ ☃️My winter baby 🥶 Senior Trip to Starved RockSenior NXRCross Country FriendsSenior trip to Punta Cana 🌊 🏝️ MSU family photoBroke the 5-minute mile 3/21/25 at CarthageI loved seeing you and your friends on Friday lunches and hearing stories of you beating them at bags blindfolded 5/18/25
I watched this very cute movie today and it made me think, what dreams did my younger self have? And have I accomplished them? It’s always a great idea to check in to make sure you’re on the right path …
✔️ Raise, cheer for, support, and fully love two kind, brave, curious children
✔️ Work on the collaborative work of art called marriage
✔️ College (x4) & Career
✔️ Publish a book (x5+)
✔️ Artists Dates & Writing
✔️ Personal Goals: SUP, OTF, WMOTY, Improv…
Got to experience so many breathtaking things! Sunrises at the beach, Snow falling on my eyelashes in the Mountains, being splashed by Niagara Falls, 5th grade opening day date with each of my sons, Cubs World Series Parade, Met the Dolphins at CMA, countless amazing Live Music & Comedy & Art …I can sleep at night knowing I really gave life my all, I lived deep and wide (and will live as long as the universe allows).
✅ ongoing adventure & art & awe ….
Life shouldn’t just be lived, it should be celebrated! 🥂 🍾
Throw a party for no reason… 💯 birthday party, Keegan de Mayo, Neighborhood Olympics …. Have fun out there!
The Lefty Writer 