I had a thought about how to make this all work. After watching part of ‘Raising a Modern Day Knight’ I realized that I need to have Jacob’s closest male peer friends participate. We could start early in the morning at Deer Grove, perhaps at 7 am, before it gets hot. If we have 10 men and allocate 20 minutes each, this gives 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes). There will be some variability due to different walking speeds, but we should be complete by 10:30.

The ‘journey’ will be separate from the ceremony. I would like to have the ceremony in the afternoon, around 3 pm. Although I haven’t planned it, I’m thinking something around an hour and a half, and will have an audience of families and friends. During the ceremony, Jacob’s friends will read their short letters, we men will say some things, there will be a charge (obligations of manhood), a blessing, a ‘knighting’ with the sword, and a prayer.

Dinner will be 7 pm in Arlington Heights. This break will provide an opportunity for fathers to talk with sons about what they witnessed and participated in, and how it relates to them. At this time, I would like to have the dinner in a private room at Piatti Pronti. The chef - owner is a personal friend, and she has agreed to create a special meal for us. I’m thinking at present that men participants and their sons will be invited to the dinner, where we will fellowship together and continue the celebration.

I’ll start a discussion topic on this subject, so please chime in with your thoughts. To participate in the discussion area, you will have to create a log in with a password. Email me if you need assistance.