Minnesota

As we drove the 18 hours back from Minnesota, both Peter and I faced a mix of emotions: joy to be coming back to the city, sadness to be leaving our families, confusion about moving home one day. It’s a lot. Truthfully, living across the country from friends and family can be hard at times. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. But, it’s the days we get to spend with our families in our childhood homes that refuel our souls and keep us going.

Being from Minnesota is such a blessing. I think there is a pride that naturally develops when you live in a place that is typically overlooked in the scheme of all 50 states. I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve told someone where I’m from and they’ve asked if it’s “near Canada” or respond with “oh that must be cold”. I understand why their knowledge is limited. I mean, just look at a map and you’ll see that Minnesota blends in with the other midwest states that most Americans have no real reason to visit.

But when I picture home, I think of the people that make it so special. We’re a crew of kid-hearted mellow people who are more than willing to hold the door for the stranger behind us, even if they are a slow walker and it takes 5 minutes.

It’s the kind of thing that makes me love coming home. There’s no feeling like being back in the Twin Cities and seeing the friendliness amongst strangers. Growing up I always thought that was the standard. Doesn’t everyone talk to the person fueling up at the next pump over? Aren’t you always friendly with the cashier at the grocery store? If I had a dollar for the amount of times I walked right into my neighbor’s house without notice to grab an egg for my recipe, I would have a second home on Pelican Lake.

That’s the beauty about Minnesota, or at least where we grew up, people are kind and genuinely care about one another.

I think it’s especially noticeable during this time of year, when locals celebrate the conclusion of a never-ending tundra, ditching their parkas/beanies for bikinis/ball caps. I’ll be the first to admit that winters are miserable. Sub-zero temps and -40º windchills are inhumane if you ask me, but it’s that 3-4 month span during spring and summer that makes it all worth it. It’s undoubtably the very reason so many people choose to stay throughout the rest of the year. There’s never an empty sidewalk or desolate park once the temps graze above 60º. Barbecues are meant to be had almost nightly, drinks on the deck are a no brainer, and bonfires with friends followed by several rounds of night-games are inevitable. All that to say, there is a community that is built during the months indoors sharing a unifying hope that the sun will shine on the Land of 10,000 Lakes soon, and we will all be blissfully soaking in the summer heat from the comfort of our speed boats soon enough.

It may not be the perfect place for everyone, but it is home.

Cheers!

xoxo - Katie