Months and months ago, Nick’s dad asked him if he would want to join him in what’s called RAIN — short for “Ride Across Indiana”. My response? “Seriously?!” I thought these two were crazy to ride 160 miles on their bikes across the state. And when I found out the race was going to be in July? Even CRAZIER. But Nick is such a great son and he knew how much this meant to his dad (one of his bucket list goals), so he told him yes.

These two then spent the weeks leading up to the ride logging lots and lots of miles on their bikes in preparation for the big day. Together, they set off on Saturday from Terre Haute, Ind. (on the western side of the state) at around 6:30 a.m. They joined more than 1,500 (crazy) bicyclists participating in the event that day, all of them up against temperatures that would eventually top out around 90 degrees (and a brutal head wind on top of that). I stayed at home (I would have had to have been in the car, following them, for up to 12 hours—yeahhhh…not a good idea when 6+ months pregnant!), which meant I looked forward to every text update I got from Nick on his phone as they ticked off the miles (40, 60, 80….) along the way.

Nick’s dad made it 110 miles into the ride before he decided to call it a day later that afternoon (and I was SO proud of him, both for how far he made it, but for also listening to his body and not pushing himself to ride farther than he thought he could handle. And, I mean, 110 miles? WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!) Nick still felt good, and decided to keep going.

Which is how, at 6:40 p.m. that night, I found myself standing there waiting for him—camera in hand—as he crossed the finish line at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. (on the east side of the state). He’d been on that bike for nearly 12 hours that day and my heart swelled with pride seeing his yellow set of wheels come around the bend. Sweaty, tired, dehydrated, but in good spirits, that was my husband. And I couldn’t believe he’d DONE it!

Nick, congratulations again on this amazing physical accomplishment. Time and time again in our relationship, you have proven to me that perseverance pays off and that doubting one’s self is no way to reach a finish line. Once again, I’m in awe of you and how you keep finding ways to remind yourself—and me, while you’re at it—that you can do anything you put your mind to.

Nick’s sister and her husband joined us from Cincinnati to cheer Nick on at the finish line. They brought our nephews (Sam, Ben and Zach) who look up to Nick in THE most adorable way possible. Look at this sign Sam and Ben made their Uncle Nick! I about melted when I saw it! And finally, a great shot of a father and son. Love these two and can’t help but wonder if our own son will someday take after his father’s love of bicycling :)

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