College Friends

Thirty year plus friendships are the best. I went to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls to college. I have kept friendships from those days with a group that is near and dear to me. Over the years since going our own way, we have tried to get together each year to relive those crazy days and make new memories.

Left: At the Casino Belle on the Mississippi River at Dubuque, IA in 1991.

We've been there for each other through marriages, births, loss of parents and sibblings, divorce, moving, job changes and the ups and downs of life. Imagine the diversity of different occupations, lifestyles, and family, yet the 30 years seem to fade when we get together. With a little variety in the numbers in our group, we've traveled to different locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota and Nebraska to reconnect.

Right: 1992 Reunion

This weekend we met in Clear Lake, IA for the weekend. It was the perfect time for me, right before a new school year starts. Coming from three different directions we arrived within an hour of each other and the relaxation and quality time together began.

The girls, Beth, Janine and I headed to Garner, IA to Country Threads, a quilt shop. I've proclaimed myself sewing disfunctional (my mom and sister were the sewers in my family so I didn't need to sew) so while the two quilters chose materials and patterns, I found other crafts to add to my collection of "things to do". Advertures in cloth that I plan to take will involve weaving material and mini punch craft. Stay tuned for the results...

Right: Beth, Janine and Diane at Country Threads in Garner, IA

Time spent watching the Olympics, gazing over the lake as the sun set, time with extended family and friends and of course eating (when on vacation rules go by the wayside) filled the time until we headed to the historical Surf Ballroom. On stage was Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos. I have to admit when Janine first told me we were going to Dueling Pianos I envisioned two Liberace style pianos on stage and two men would play duets of classical music. I told her this proved we were really getting old (we all turned 50 this year). I was so wrong. My first trip to the Surf was filled with fun as this duo managed to entertain all ages from kids to seniors in the crowd. Singing, dancing, audience participation and great music kept our attention for hours.

Above: The 2008 Group; Diane, Beth, Dave, Janine and Mike.
When we get together the years of separation melt away and it's like we're still roommates. These people matter to me, I matter to them, what more can you ask for?