When I booked my stay in Park City, I knew no one there. Not only did Madeline reach out, but I learned that my friend Elli’s daughter Lizzy goes to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, only 30 minutes away. Lizzy and I made plans to meet up on Friday at 11:30 after a White Coat Ceremony she attended for one of her friends graduating from med school. Though I could have guessed the intent from the name of the ceremony, I was unfamiliar with this rite of passage in the journey toward a healthcare career.
Lizzy has a golden doodle puppy named Winston, called Winnie, who was sweet as pie to Arden who returned his love with a scowl and a growl. With dogs in tow, we parked at City Creek Center, a beautiful open-air shopping center. We had lunch at Blue Lemon before heading over to Temple Square.
Wherever we turned in the square, pairs of Mormon girls timidly and kindly approached us to share their mission of Jesus Christ. Greeting our dogs gave them the opening they wanted. They were friendly and didn’t push when we didn’t engage. They gave us flowers and compliments. The Salt Lake Temple was under construction so a sea of scaffolding is all there was to see. Lizzy held onto Arden while I stepped inside the beautiful Assembly Hall and the Salt Lake Tabernacle where the choir of the same name performs. There was an organist recital of beautiful chords echoing through the acoustic-perfect structure.
I’ve known Lizzy since she was born when her mom Elli worked for me at the Bank. Lizzy remembers me bringing my dog Mac to visit and playing ball with him in their back yard. She remembers me as being tall, which I love her for. Quite comical since I am 5’3″ and Lizzy is 6′. I saw Lizzy last just over a year ago at her grandmother’s funeral. She doesn’t remember seeing me which is not surprising. It was a hard day for her, and she still misses her Yiayia who Lizzy stayed with every day after school. I knew Lizzy’s Yiayia, a lovely woman and role model who made the most delicious giant Greek beans.
Lizzy came to Salt Lake City knowing little about the Mormon culture, and they welcomed her into their community. She shared stories and pictures about the culture she had learned through her friends. Lizzy also has a group of non-Mormon friends, and the groups stay pretty separate. I’m not surprised Lizzy is surrounded by many and diverse friends. Lizzy is pretty, kind and mature, and she made me feel like there is nowhere she’d rather be than spending time with me. The 40-plus-year age difference melted away as she showed me around her city and her campus.
We drove to the Capital and spent time on the spacious green lawn where there was a live bank practicing for an evening event. Afterwards, we returned a hot and tired Winston to Lizzy’s apartment and continued about the city. Lizzy bought us delicious chocolate chip and iced sugar cookies from local bakery Chip…yummy!
The final stop on my personal tour was the University of Utah. Lizzy showed me the walkways where she braved the winter winds to get to classes and her former dorms, one being Lassonde Studios, a 5-story home for student entrepreneurs, innovators and creators. We walked around the main floor where students connect, test ideas, build prototypes and launch companies. The white brick walls and posts display the names of companies started by Utah University students, and the private and corporate donors that fund the startups. I’m in awe. If I were entering college, I would apply to Utah or look for a university with a similar program.
