The month of May was unforgettable and went way too fast. We anticipated this time would be extra special as Will graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Classical Languages. But I could never prepare for the way my heart would throb with love and parental pride to hear his name and see him walk across the stage to receive his diploma, knowing it was no easy path to get there. I didn't expect all the memories that flooded back of him and the years of our homeschooling that set the foundation of what was to come nor the added memories that being in New Ulm seems to quickly conjure up of our own time there back when it was DMLC and then the amalgamation years and Wayne's graduation of MLC in 1998. I'm always surprised by how easy it is with certain people that after long periods of time that we're able to pick up a well aged friendship where we last left off.
Our Minnesota bound roadtrip started with a stop for the night at a Drury Inn, as all good roadtrips do, somewhere in the Kansas City area. This insured that we not only had a nice place to rest up but guaranteed Kick Back - the perfect blend of happy hour and what constitutes for a meal. We also enjoyed a breakfast before heading off for the day's long drive so we figured we came out ahead.
First stop was Albert Lea to visit my Grandma Hanson, otherwise known as the birthday girl since she celebrated turning 95 the day before. I'm sure I've raved about her before but she has the sharpest mind and the sweetest disposition. We enjoyed chatting with her in her apartment and eating at the obligatory Wok and Roll Chinese restaurant. We also helped her eat the cake from her big family party the weekend before. It was a lovely visit!
From there we headed to New Ulm to move into our Air B&B and meet up with my parents, Fran, and Hosanna. The house we rented was absolutely perfect and adorable and seriously the closest thing to being home without being home. I have my dearest friend Tonya and her husband Mark to thank for that!
Tonya and I have been friends since high school but we bonded big time when we roomed together second semester of our one year of DMLC. That sealed the deal so that she was in my wedding as matron of honor and I was godmother to her son.
Over the years she and Mark have been flipping homes, renting them, and trying different projects. They recently decided to try the Air B&B business even though they've never stayed in one! Her fingerprints were all over it - literally I'm sure but what I mean is she had her Tonya touch everywhere. It was homey and warm and I couldn't find anything missing that I went looking for. Her knack for finding eclectic objects and displaying them in a way that brings new and relevant life is second to none! It was perfect for our family to come together under one roof and open it up even wider to have friends stop by and join us for a visit.
That godson I mentioned, Brandon, stopped by too and I got to give him an in person hug!
The REALLY ironic thing is that Will and Brandon totally bonded before they even met each other. They apparently did this by racing their cars up Center St one day awhile back. Brandon says he knew who Will was since the Texas plates, Canadian sticker in the window, and all the souped up things Will did to Grandma's Avalon gives it away. Anyway, it was cute to see Brandon let an excited Will drive his car around the block and that our man boys were instant friends like their mamas.
The whole graduation weekend was amazing and full of wonderful memories. There's the one memory of me, my mother, and Fran wandering around the New Ulm Aldi as only out of towners could behave. It's hard to explain how exactly we managed to stick out like a sore thumb among small town midwesterners, but by the time we left we were embarrassed by ourselves and wondered if we were even fit to be out in public again!
There was the obligatory Schells Brewery tour. It was the fitting thing to do since we did it when dropping Will off for his freshman year and now we were ending his college days back at the brewery.
One evening we met up with Will and his friends at a local bar we used to go to when Wayne and I were Will's age. Crazy! It was so great to meet some of his friends we've only heard about but never met in person. It was insightful to see our son in his surroundings among good friends some of which he's had since high school. They have been the answer to many prayers to the Lord especially when he went away to LPS at 14. I pray my children have good, faithful friends that can encourage one another through those formative years. God in His grace has provided that for each of them and I am grateful!
Graduation Day came and was a reminder of how blessed we are to have such a high caliber worker training school for our church body. Some graduates received their first Lutheran school teaching calls later that day. Some have plans to continue their education at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in the fall.
Will is looking forward to finishing his education too with a Master's of Divinity at WLC but not yet. His path has taken a different direction and is kind of scary and exciting at the same time. After serving in the Minnesota National Guard these last two years, he will finish out this commitment to the military before starting seminary. With his bachelor's degree, he can be an officer in the Army and he begins officer training tomorrow through the end of July. He plans on working in the Army full time for four years and returning to school after that. It's the perfect fit for him and we are so excited that he's excited. He's put in an order for his first new car purchase and is learning all about financing and building credit and managing his money well. I'm thankful this is an area Wayne does well and Will is eager to learn from him.
Graduation Lunch at the local German restaurant
Later that day we opened our rental to friends and enjoyed a steady stream of visits and reconnecting over food and beverages. I was so excited to see the Thompson family from Ottawa days!!! Luke joined the MLC faculty last summer and Will was blessed to have him as a professor his last semester. Christine is one of my favorite pastor's wives and good friend.
We all went our separate ways the next day. Zanna got a ride back to LPS to finish out her last week of Sophomore year of high school. Mom and Dad drove up to Twin Cities and then to northern WI to visit their old stomping grounds and to wrap up some loose ends. They stayed up north until it was time to pick up Zanna from school. They loaded her up and drove her home to Texas. Do I have amazing parents or what?! Meanwhile, we caravanned south with Wayne and I in our vehicle followed by Will and Fran in the Avalon. Our Moonshine Adventure will have to come in a Part 2.
To be continued.
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