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What’s the story behind your nickname?

I’m not one to have a nickname or be nicknamed. No one ever shortens my name, but I do get every pronounciation of Andrea. I never correct. I actually like all the other pronounciations better. I like that certain people call me this one or that one, it becomes kind of like a nick name, specific to this one friend or that.

My grandfather was the only one who got away with calling me Andie.

My mother hated that he did and he eventually stopped, but I have the fondest memories of being Andie to him. I was the first grandchild. The only one old enough to go with him on errands or ride on the lawn mower or sit on the front of a mini bike. I went with him on his little boat, I followed him around his giant garden. I stood on a chair and watched as he cooked.

I named my boat Belle Andie. Belle because I was Isabelle for my first few months, from birth to adoption and all the lost time in between. It’s weird that no one knows where I was then.

I was adopted and became Andrea, then Andie…

I named my boat after myself.

I’ve had so many memories come up from that brief time in my life lately. It’s interesting that my grandkids are close to the age that I was when that time ended for me.

I was just visiting my son’s family. It was a quick trip and I spent every minute with my sweet grands. Their youngest, my mini me, said a few things that I will likely remember forever.

She said, while just she and I were walking home from the beach, “Grandma, you get me. You’re like the only one who does! You can’t miss my childhood!” She’s eight. She has always been so animated and funny and imaginative, but also shy. I don’t know if anyone even knows her at school because she composes herself so completely. Shes right, I HAVE to be part of all of their lives…

So I missed seeing my friends and going to yoga because we spent as many moments as we could, in as many different combinations of small and big groups, hanging out together.

Eating chocolate cake made by twelve year old Lily, Thai food, Italian, tacos, going to the beach, an arcade,on walks…

It was all amazing.

Now I’m on a plane heading for the rest of my kids homes.

Names my grandkids call me:

Grandma, Grammy-grand, Grands, Gram, Memaw, Grammy, Granny…they are goofing around but it’s perfectly fine with me!