After 21 Years, I Returned

I was discussing the idea of going back Wisconsin for a trip with my girlfriend. She really made me feel that I deserved to see my family. She has a big soft spot for my Grandma Pat, and she’s been wanting to meet more of my Family.

After a gracious time off request for Memorial Day weekend was granted, we set off. 11 hours of driving, eventually calling my Grandma in Chicago and saying

“We’re Almost There”!

We wanted to surprise her, But we wanted to just go. This is often the intention of my partner and I. It’s pretty easy to talk ourselves out of things, and 11 hours was no easy feat. We even left at 1 a.m so we could just power through and have the day to relax.

Why Did It Take So Long?

I left Wisconsin when I was 9 years old. My dad got a job offer in Roanoke, Virginia. We lucked out on a huge house by a country club. I was the “white boy”. Which was fair, my pasty complexion and Midwestern accent was pretty foreign to Virginia southerners. So it started with me out of my comfort zone, and kept going..

Actually, We Kept Getting Lucky

We stayed for 3 years, and moved around some more, and more, and more. I’ve moved over 7 times in my life. 5 different states.

Wisconsin, Virginia, Vermont, New York, North Carolina, and now Pennsylvania. And while I have loved getting around and seeing new places. I have found it really pulled me away from family.

I tend to idolize and yet empathize for people who are grounded to one place. And wonder why haven’t they left?

Family, and Work.

My Dad has been extremely fortunate to be able to move around through his career. He’s a damn good salesman. And people want that. Money and sales often do all the talking. But at the same time, it put my sister and I in a tough spot.

It was hard on us in our adolescence. I have a massive network of friends, But I never really saw my family. And the more ambitions I chased in my own life, the further away they got. My grandma would often make trips, and I admire her for that.

But I couldn’t expect that from everyone. And now that I’m older I understand

that the older you get, the more responsibilities you accrue.

Life Gets In The Way.

I can tell it killed people in my family that when I was sick, they knew I was in pain, and they were so far away. That short weekend, I experienced an overload of emotions. And one thing really stood out immediately. The heartfelt concern, and admiration of my walk in life.

And to finally see who I’ve brought home to the family.

They all loved Keya, the story of how we met, and why we wanted to go back to Wisconsin. I showed her the streets I walked down. The house I grew up in, the school I walked to with my sister. The best Chocolate shop in town, a bar on every corner, Cheese factories, memories, and even my best friend growing up who invited me over to her families cookout.

I loved the genuine moments we all shared together.
One of my favorites was hearing Aunt Jo Ann bring my Grandma to tears with laughter with her stories at Pizza Ranch.

It made the gap in time seem surreal,
but entirely realistic with my partner at my side.
That’s what life is all about.

Sharing and experiencing these things with the people you care most about.

Keya kept telling me ” I love it here”.
I knew she would.
She always acted like a Midwest gal.
I love that about her.

And she really, really loved Culver’s.

Culver’s Ice Cream Every Day

We joked that we came for Family, Beer and Cheese.

But it was true.

It was something we wanted to share together.
And it was a task to fit those into 4 days.

We filled our stomachs, and our hearts.
Created memories, and made plans.
22 Hours of driving, Pictures, Beer, and of course…
A cooler full of Cheese from Union Star.

I Can’t Wait To Go Back.

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