Miss B said YES!

Miss B and I survived the trip to the midwest! Flew into Chicago on Saturday the 11th and we were off and running from there. While waiting for our luggage to appear from the turnstile, I gazed in amazement that we were truly in the Middle of the West. The fashion, (or difference in fashion would be more appropriate), the "Join the Military to save freedom in America" adverts, and degree to which people are H-U-G-E, all completely shocked me. Especially the hugeness factor. Miss B and I looked like supermodels compared to the bulky folks encountered. Turning to Miss B and whispered in her ear "We are normal size here!". Not saying that we truly are small by any means but sheesh, these folks know where the trough is for sure! Can't imagine how heavy I would be at this point in my life had I stuck around to become a farm wife with three kids and a teaching job at the local high school. Probably be driving one of those electric scooters from class to class yelling at kids to stop making out in the hallway. Once the luggage magically appear from the depths below, it was time to head curbside for the rental car shuttle. Landed a two door silver Chevy cavalier. That thing was a dog. But it did get us around very economically and didn't break down so it's all good. Took forever and a day to get out of Chicago with the toll roads and packed roadways of weekend traffic. We were also in the land of american made vehicles. Didn't see subaru until 4 days into the vacation! Nuts I tell you!

The first stop was at my sister's place in Cross Plains, WI. Population 2,000. It's a cute little town just outside of Madison and will soon be one of the many super-burbs being created with the "choose from our 5 housing models" communities. It's close enough that people feel as though they are living in the country but can get to Madison in 15 minutes or less barring no traffic. Went out for dinner at the local bar and watched a movie, soon thereafter going to bed. Woke up Sunday morning and it was time to meet Ma and Pa Lohr. No more delaying it, the time had arrived. We got to the farm and hung out for a bit. Everyone was very nice and I certainly didn't give them enough credit as they were on their best behavior. They were all busy working on this and that, as farmer do, even on Sundays. After a short visit we hopped back in the car and went to the blossoming metropolis of Viroqua, population 1,000 or less. On our way there billboards lined the highways stating that society should vote and pray to end abortions. Or perhaps it was pray and vote, not sure. At any rate, we had hit the true midwest which really isn't the one I grew up in. I remember the progressiveness of Madison and as a kid thinking "Wow, these people are forward thinking!". When there now it seems like a place filled with flag waving, bible thumping, marry your cousins because the Lord said it was ok, kind of folks. Is this because I live in Disneyland of progressivism? Perhaps. However it does appear things have taken a turn to the conservative and a hard core one at that. Eventually, despite all the horrific and offensive billboards, we arrived to visit with my younger brother Tommy and his family. At one point is son Zachary was convinced he was going to come back to California with Becky and I. He had it all worked out. His mom would simply pick him up at the airport when it was time for him to come home. Makes sense to a four year old, with the most amazing bargaining skills ever seen! They also have a girl named Vanessa who is the cutest thing ever! She was ~ 4 months old the last time and my how she has grown. Unfortunate for her, she certainly has the "Lohr look" and will by no means be not be recognized as one. We had a great visit with them and made our way back to the farm.

The next few days involved many visits with nieces and nephews, cousins, and family family family! We stained the deck at the farm house because of course it wouldn't be a visit without accomplishing some kind of work. It's a different kind of work however and don't mind it so much seeing as I got to use my back rather than my brain in overdrive for a change. The last night we stayed in WI mom organized a cookout and dinner for the whole crew including some extended family. (Yes, this includes you Mike!) We sat around telling stories, listening to Miss B play the guitar and sing alongs, great midwestern food including macaroni AND potato salad, and drinking beer. Everyone taking some time out of their busy work schedules to hang out and have fun, which is a rarity in the Lohr household. We left on Wednesday morning for Milwaukee to catch the ferry to Muskegon, MI. Prior to our departure Dad had come into the house and was bending our ear a bit more with stories about Grandma Lohr and how his swearing habits developed as a kid which have certainly carried onto his adulthood. Never in my life have I heard such a combination of swear adjectives put together in such a manner as they do when coming out of his mouth. He got us giggling and said "Well come here then!" which meant I needed to come over and give him a hug. Mel then shook Miss B's hand, said it was nice to meet her and apologized for swearing so much. A crack up? I think so.

Once on the ferry and making our way to Michigan, I was turning green with anticipation, nerves, and sea sickness. Miss B and I went up to the "sun deck" which was on that day more appropriately called the "check out the gray clouds and how freezing it is out here" deck. We were the only ones braving the chilly conditions, looking at the skyline of Milwaukee fading in the distance. Eventually I inquired if Miss B could handle spending more time with the Lohr family in the future. She said it was a great visit and that it wouldn't be a problem at all. I then pulled a ring out of my pocket and asked her to marry me. SHE SAID YES! (Adriana, you are totally right and I am a big lunkhead for ever thinking she may say no.) We hugged and kissed and smiled for what seemed like hours on end with the declaration of our commitment to one another. We will have a ceremony but it won't be for another 1 to 2 years seeing as my parents are still getting used to the idea that I sleep with girls. And not in a friend kind of way....

I must stop writing for a bit. The next installation will be the Michigan portion of the trip. I finally said yes to Michigan. Although I will never cheer on the blue and gold, it is a nice place. Till next time!