Rewind a couple of weeks. Not much out of the ordinary happened in our little sliver of the world. I spent a little time with fellow military spouses making beautiful wreaths for our doors, but other than that the week was filled with decisions, scheming, texts, and conversations that finally lead to one thing. On Friday, I bought a plane ticket, and on Sunday I landed in Minnesota.
I wonder if any of you are lucky enough to have a place as near and dear to your heart as Northern Minnesota is to me. It's one of those things that I've never really been able to explain to someone outside of my family...but they all understand. Nothing beats those summer days on a dark blue lake, surrounded by bright green trees and a bright blue sky.
For almost 40 years, my grandpa has taken his kids (and eventually grandkids and great-grandkids) to Eagle Nest Lodge- a resort in Northern Minnesota on a gorgeous, clear blue lake. We have stayed in cabins for a week every summer enjoying the woods, fishing, family time, the lake, and relaxation. It's a blessing that I'll always be incredibly grateful for. There's something about that place...the anticipation that builds the closer we get to the resort, the smells, the air, the sights, the sounds, and probably the memories too. It honestly just warms me in a way I can't describe.
It's always been a constant and something to look forward to. No matter what happened during the year, we got to go Up North. Growing up, it was the place to run, explore, play, and dream. My cousins, siblings, and I stayed up late into the night, enjoying vacation, and also thinking about and planning our futures. It seems silly...but it's what we did. Our imaginations ran wild, dreams were built, and we were free. As we grew up, things changed a bit. We shifted from running around like crazy creatures on the beach and in the woods, to learning to appreciate the family time and comfort of a week without responsibility. We now knew what real-life was like, but we appreciated it, and the break that we got from it for one week every summer.
I realize that when you grow up, sometimes you have to let go of the past, but I wasn't ready for that yet. I thought that I was, but the closer it got to vacation week, the more upset I was for not planning on being there. I could have been a good "grown up" and not gone; my heart wasn't okay with that, though. I could have waited for a better week to go home, when the puppy was grown up and we had saved up a little more money, but I didn't want to turn down the opportunity. How often can I fly home and see not only my mom and dad, but also my siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and my grandpa for an entire week? Not very often. Somehow, I was lucky enough to have all the pieces fall into place. Keagan had another field week, so I wouldn't see him Sunday night- Friday night anyways. A wonderful, helpful, military spouse offered to take care of my puppy. Airport transportation was arranged. A plane ticket was bought.
I was able to show up at the resort with only a couple of people knowing I was coming. It was wonderful to surprise them, and it was beyond amazing to spend a week in my favorite place on earth catching up with my family. I tried paddle boarding for the first time, read on the beach, enjoyed cooler temperatures, played games with the crew, and let myself breathe in the familiar air. I shared a room with my cousin and sister (just like old times), sat next to my mother, laughed at my grandpa's wonderful sense of humor, and caught nothing but a clam. I got bit by horseflies and swelled up like a balloon, spent more time inside relaxing than years past, chatted with my aunts and uncles, and ate more than I could ever need. I needed that week. I only wish I could have brought Keagan, but hopefully another year.
Even with how wonderful vacation was, it felt just as good to get home to Virginia and my husband. I really like the life we've built out here, and even though vacation is nice, a week is long enough. I'm so thankful for air travel, family, memories, and magical places. And hey, i'll most likely be back next year. Growing up can wait...
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