Minnesota, You Do Hold My Heart

I have been meaning to write about my trip home for some time now, but it's been a busy few weeks back here in Los Angeles. There isn't much more that I could have asked for from my trip. So many of you rearranged your schedules and made the extra effort to spend time with me and I appreciate that so very, very much. I was quite overwhelmed with how many of you came to Mortimer's. I felt so loved and I do not take that for granted in the least! There will just never be friends like you all out here.

My one and only regret is how much I tried to jam into my first day in town. Looking back, it is just a whirlwind of activities. When Brian and I arrived at 6am that Friday, we immediately jumped in our rental car and drove up to my parents' house in Avon, where my brother Lee and his three kids were anxiously awaiting our arrival. Of course my parents were too. :) The kids all had so much to share with me and they had grown significantly in the last year. I must admit that seeing them was bittersweet. Somehow after breakfast, I got roped into going tubing on the lake. While it was super fun, it was also exhausting having not slept a wink the night before! After the lake fun was over, Brian and I had to head back to Mpls to meet Michon and Mike to play a round of disc golf. Are you starting to see how I packed way too much in that first day?! I can't lie, I only played about 9 of the 18 holes, but Brian and Mike made it all the way through. After this is was back to the hotel to eat and get ready to head to Morts.

Saturday brought Sarah and Langdon's wedding, which was absolutely beautiful. Very easy and relaxed, just how a wedding should be, but rarely is. The day flew by and before we could say "congratulations," it was over. Little, Michon, Mike, Brian and I were all staying at Sarah and Langdon's house, caring for the dogs. Mike and Brian ended up being the troopers that night, drinking whiskey until 5am. Let's just say they got along pretty well!

Sunday was Brian's last day and we grabbed breakfast with Michon and Mike. Afterwards, we had a family get together at my brother & sister-in-law's house where I got the chance to see the niece and nephews that I hadn't yet. They had all really changed and a couple of them took a bit to warm up to me again. That was hard, but it is to be expected with the little ones. Brian headed to the airport that night and I got some much needed rest.

The remainder of the trip was spent visiting friends and family all over. I spent a lot of time with my parents, which was absolutely wonderful. I really miss them so much. We went to see Bobby Vee perform in St. Joe on July 3rd and then I was surprised to find that Garrison Keillor was doing his radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, live from Avon on July 4th. In recent years, I've becoming an avid listener of NPR and catch Prairie Home frequently so this was pretty cool!

The 5th brought my departure back to L.A. A part of me was very sad to leave, but another part was excited to get back. No matter where this life takes me, Minnesota will always be home and everyone there will hold my heart. Thank you all back home for making my first return so amazing and gratifying. I can promise I will be back again before next summer! I love you all!

Until next time...