Minnesota Part 2: AQuick Trip

Ken and I took a spur-of-the-moment, very fast trip to Minnesota (in October). Sadly, it was for a funeral. We got in late the night before the funeral. We were starving, but couldn't decide what to do...stop and eat or keep going so we could get to his parents' house at a decent time. After talking with Sandie, we decided to stop in a town that was pretty close to where they live. There was a great little pub there. Sandie even came to sit with us while we ate. :)

I've always said that I would never live in Minnesota b/c its too cold and I don't like the snow....however (get ready for it), I LOVED being there while its cold! :) It just makes the place! I can just imagine all the little towns with their Christmas decorations up and people walking, bundled, through the streets. JUST LOVE IT! Thankfully, even though we were there for a very short time, we were able to spend the next morning sight-seeing.We spent the morning in this great little town, Northfield. I fell in love with it last year when we were driving back to OK. Its adorable!!! The downtown is my favorite!!!! And its home to two colleges, St. Olaf and Carlton. I LOVE colleges!!!!! Just visiting them makes me want to go back to school...or enroll THERE! :) We got to do a little shopping and eat lunch, but next time...we are already planning to eat a little pizza joint called "Basil". AND...I want to actually tour the colleges. (OH...and on our way home we drove through Ames, IA. Since Iowa State is in the Big 12, we wanted to see it. However, we were both so ready to be home that we didn't get out of the truck. Next time, I want to tour that University too!).I took this picture for my mom! It was a cute little coffee shop and restaurant...but the name is sentimental to her. :)On our way home, I snapped a few fast shots of the houses that are on the same street as Ken's parents' house. They are all so cute and could be in movies. I just love them! Once we got back to the house, we had to get dressed for the Arlene's funeral. This is what I had been stuffing down the entire time. I knew that if I thought about why we were in MN, I would break down. As soon as I saw Ron, Arlene's husband, I lost it. It just broke my heart. I'm a very visual person. I see everything in my mind. I see him waking up in the morning and remembering that she isn't there. I see him having his morning coffee alone. I see him going through his first day without her, his first weekend without her, his first outing without her, his first holiday without her, his first year without her. It. Breaks. My. Heart. My heart just hurts for him. Having to tell yourself to breathe. Not being able to sleep. But praying you sleep for a long time b/c that's the only time that the pain goes away. I feel it all for him! I loved Arlene. I met her once (well, twice b/c she and Ron came to our wedding...but we really didn't get to spend any time with them) and the two of them changed my life forever. They showed Ken and I a marriage that lasts...putting each other first....and being in love with your best friend. They made me feel at home! They took me in as if I were family. They loved me. I am so thankful for the brief time that I knew her. My life will never be the same. She was a beautiful, amazing woman!

The ceremony was beautiful. She didn't think anyone would come. But, of course, the church was completely packed. I love that there was a dinner afterward for everyone to attend. It gave us a chance to catch up with some of Ken's former co-workers, friends, and Ron. I'm so thankful for those few hours. And, again...I knew the hardest time for Ron was about to come. The days ahead when all the family and friends leave. The days when family and friends move on with their busy lives and forget to check on him. I'm thankful for his daughters and that he won't be going through this completely alone. I was the "crazy" girl that couldn't stop crying....the "crazy" girl that didn't want to leave him. I know that life goes on. I know that he will figure out this new "normal". But, my heart still broke for him. I could feel all the emotion I would have if Ken wasn't in my life everyday....he and I have only been together for almost 3 years. Ron and Arlene? Almost 50 years! I can only HOPE and PRAY that I have Ken everyday for 50 years!

We got back to Ken's parents' house around 10:30. We were happily greeted by his sister, Andrea, and her two boys, Tyler and Ethan. It was good to see them and we were able to spend a little time with them that night and part of the next day.Our final stop before we left was to visit some college friends, The Perdue's! We just love them and are always thankful when we get the opportunity to see them. I am SOOO sad they are moving!!!! I loved that they lived in MN b/c I always had friends to visit while we were there! I know...its very selfish of me. :) However, I've never been to CT, so I'll look forward to visiting them there too. We went to dinner at a wonderful restaurant and then rented "The Book of Eli". We had such a great time! Judith made her famous Chocolate Chip cookies!!! YUM! And, she made this amazing coffee cake!!!!! Oh my gosh...spoiled us to death!!!!! And their girls are just beautiful! I love them so much! I'm so blessed to know this family!We made the long journey home on Sunday...which happened to be Halloween. Not my favorite holiday, so I was happy to forget it. :) Until next year (or this year since I posted this so late)....So long, Minnesota!