to South Africa and Beyond:

Born in our favorite bowling alley, the idea became official in the winter of 2008.  James and Teddy were bowling a few games, as was the normal daily activity when the friends were in town together.  Andrew was out of town so his input had to be given via phone call and text message but a fantastic idea was hatched that night.  A contract was written on a bar napkin with lines for all three to sign.  James and Teddy penned their names in agreement, with Andrew's signature shortly following when he returned to Madison.  The legal napkin detailed a vague, but exciting, plan for all three friends to pack their bags in the summer of 2010, after all had graduated, and head overseas for the trip of a lifetime.  No exact dates or locales were given but, instead, a general idea that the three men would travel together, as friends, until such time as all funds were exhausted, at which time they would return to the states, memories abounding, and begin the next stages of their lives, whether that be graduate school or a fresh career.  The napkin/contract currently resides with Teddy, on the wall of his room, but the pictures and exact wording are below.

 

Europe 2010 We, the undersigned, do pledge that our friendship will be everlasting, and, as such, we are guaranteeing that our plan, outlined below, will be undertaken.   Plan: Upon graduation from college, graduation of everyone, we will embark on a European excursion to last no shorter than ___ months.  The exact destinations and travel arrangements are completely unimportant.  The important issue will remain that we do this together, as FRIENDS!       Ted Schleisman     James Livesey     Andrew Stephenson