Once a year, I am drawn home to the sweet lands of the Midwest. The place of friendly people, long drives, fields of corn, wide open spaces, and a sense of freedom that drove early Americans and Europeans mad. Every time I step off the plane or pull into the drive, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The smells, the sights, the feeling of complete comfort. I haven't always felt this way. The reason I left is because I thought it was boring and complacent. However, I believe you can't appreciate where you are from until you leave. Galavanting around the world, and now the US, has given me that new appreciation.
This my father and I out hiking in John Bryan State Park
I never thought I would be such a fierce defender of the Midwest, but it seems that it is my banner to wave. Just like I had to defend Americans while being abroad, now I defend the Midwest. This is partly my inspiration for writing this blog.
This is my nephew and I after building his first lego toy. We graduated to no choking fears!
Now let me explain why the Midwest is best.
Time and time again, the people. What are we doing so right? Is it all the home cooked food? Spending time with cousins at Granny and Paw-Paw's house? Trips to the family farm in the summer? Fall football and sports medicine? Springs full of softball? Summers at camp? All of these things are probably what made me a nice Midwestern gal and they were all influenced by the people.
These are my grandparent's five children. Dan, Bev, Mark, Ann, and Jeff.
Each time I go back, it is for the people. First, family of course, but what is life without friends. This last trip back was no exception. First stop, the Harker family, which is quickly being married off and becoming something bigger and more diversified. Last year I went back for my sister's wedding and this year, for my cousin's wedding. (A wedding blog is coming soon).
This is just a taste of our family beauty. Aunt Nancy, Katie, Aunt Ann, Colletta and me.
I made a short stop in Cincinnati to see my favorite family of Wilders. Next time, it is going to be a much longer. :)
Next stop Chicago. I've been there a couple times now but this is the first time I did touristy things. Suzanne and Robb took me around to some good stuff. We saw Salt n'Peppa, of which I could still sing all the words to their popular songs and even got a "wow" from Suzanne. (Thank you elementary school friends!). We also hit the Taste of Chicago festival which didn't really taste that good. :( After that we got an architectural tour down the river by (as it turns out) one of Suzanne's friends. I also got to go to the illustrious coffee shop where Suzanne and Robb spend there time, in turn meeting their circle of Chicago friends.
Suzanne and I pose in front of the city sky scrapers.
Even in Chicago, there is no denying that people are more relaxed and friendly. We went for drinks at a fancy bar, with an amazing view of the city. When we walked in, people were wearing jeans and others were dressed in suits. Only in the Midwest. If this had been in NYC, we would have never been seated because we weren't dressed appropriately.
Restaurant described above.
This is what makes Midwest best: great people.
