Wednesday, June 20, 2007

I just got back from a trip to North Dakota with Adam. We left Monday and got back today, and we fit so much into those two days that I'm still trying to catch my breath and relax now that we're home. But, it was a really great trip. This was actually unexpected, but the first thing we ended up doing was revisiting the place where we got engaged four years ago (pictured above, with Adam who had just rolled down the giant hill). It's an adorable little park in East Grand Forks, a kid's dreamland. It has castles and towers and bridges and winding pathways inside, and it just looks fun. So, four years ago in June, Adam walked me on one of those bridges and gave me a beautiful Claddah ring and asked me to be with him forever, and I told him - of course - that I would (and the moon was so bright and the town - for once - didn't smell like poop), and I remember that I couldn't stop looking at my finger in the moonlight on the walk home. I was never a girl who dreamed about a ring (or a wedding for that matter. only a love.) and I still don't like anything fancy (for one reason, see Blood Diamond), but this symbol of our bond, especially in the Celtic style with a heart I turned pointing to my own, I still find so precious. It is a nice manifestation of love. When I am having a bad day and there's a minute, just looking at it can make me feel stronger.

Okay. Moving on. We saw Adam's dad, Mike, and took him out to lunch/pie/ice cream for Father's Day. We made plans to see him in July, too, and we're looking forward to that. After lunch we drove down to Fargo and spent two nights with Adam's grandma Val and grandpa Curt, which was nice as always. Time to walk and read and talk and feel like children. Grandparents are great for that! Val is pictured above, and Adam's grandpa Chuck is below (whom we visited on the way back today). Chuck always wears this beautiful smile and a wink-----It was wonderful to see him and his wife, Lorraine.

I got to see Andrea (below) and her two darling little boys, Alex and Lucas. We could have talked forever, and I could've eaten three pounds more of the awesome lasagna she made...! Plus, I really admire Andrea's passion for life, for learning, for everything. I've never seen her not glowing.


We stopped in East Grand Forks again on the way back, and we got together with Adam's mom, Connie. We got to see where she works (she's doing this great healing work, training to teach doctors about integrative [alternative] medicine). And she gave me a great "thing" for my garden, a metal star with a clear little globe in the middle. Inspiration/motivation to get back at that project!

I'll leave out the one of both of them staring off to the upper right, but trust me: it was funny. It's interesting to see the various sources of Adam's lovable wackiness!
*Does anyone have thoughts about the importation of diamonds/precious metals and the conflicts over them? I know that wearing pure gold probably isn't any better, so I feel like a hypocrite with my gold band. It's difficult to imagine not wearing this solid, everlasting symbol of my marriage---- In the movie, there's a postscript that says we should be sure the diamonds (etc.) that we buy are conflict free. BUT---how will we ever know that for sure?
I am just still really affected by the movie I saw over the weekend about this, and I'm interested in other opinions or thoughts---

2 comments:

Andrea said...

Hey Laura - It was so wonderful to see you. Jeff was upset that he missed you but says hi! I have eaten another 3 pounds of that Lasagna!

I think I should watch Blood Diamond, but, like we talked about Tuesday, I don't think I could. But, I understand what you mean about feeling like a hypocrite. It's a tough one, because I value my wedding ring for all it symbolizes to Jeff and I - not the diamond that is on it. Interesting thing to think about, for sure

daisies said...

i own one diamond and am pretty sure its conflict free as its certified canadian :) i went to a rally about 8 years ago where an amazing speaker talked about 'blood diamonds' and it really affected me like a punch in the gut ... its hard because there are so many things out there that do that, punch me in the gut. i watched a documentary called 'blue vinyl' which opened my eyes to the horrors of vinyl and i see my neighbours happily slapping it onto their houses and i cringe. thinking about it all too much though will drive a person crazy :p

i think all we can really do is try and make the best choices in our lives and not beat ourselves up for things we don't or didn't know about ... try and be imformed while staying realistic within our own lives ...

lovely photos, looks like an amazing fun trip : )

have a wonderful weekend!!