On Thursday of next week I’m going to Minnesota for the weekend. I will be up there until Monday morning. Someone will pick me up from the Indy airport at noon on Monday, September 19th. A half-hour later I will arrive back here at the Training Center and plunge into EQUIP. What will happen after that, only He knows… -September 2005
It's been two years.
A thursday afternoon in a new place. So this is Minnesota? Two years since the first time I walked through the MSP Airport. Nate and Emily were there to pick us up, me and Mays and Rah. Two years since I first saw the house on Pierce St. Abbie was wearing a black t-shirt, something about flying monkeys. Rah was really excited to see Kelli. I think some people were throwing a football around. Mays was taking pictures. I was standing around awkwardly in jeans and that blue sweater. New to the Crew, new to Pierce St, new to the Stranz family. I had no idea what was going on, or what I was supposed to do. I had no idea that in two years this would be the house that I call "home".
Two years since I met Mr. Stranz. Mays and Rah were excited to see him, engulfed in huge hugs. He extended his hand to me, and said "A handshake now, and maybe next time you come it will be a hug." I don't remember in detail meeting all the kids. I don't remember meeting Mom Stranz. I don't remember meeting Lightbody, though I know I did. I remember going to Kohls. And Emily crying. And Mays taking pictures.
Two years, since the first time I saw her. She had just come home from work, wearing black pants and a white shirt with no bow tie. I remember her sitting in the living room, with her back to the window. Love at first sight? No. But I did understand. In a house full of close friends, she was alone. Invisible in the shadow. Hurting. Lost. An outsider in her own home. I understood, because I felt the same way sometimes. I was new. Awkward. Like an outsider. Welcome, but not part. I tried to be nice to her. That weekend bitterness, love, and cynicism were all waging war inside of me. I was confused. And it had nothing to do with her. But I tried to be nice to her. We talked about snowboarding and xanga. I called her "Punk Glam". When everyone else fell asleep on the couches, she and I were still awake. She says I put my arm around her, but I don't remember. She thought I was a jerk, and she was right. When I left, I didn't even say goodbye. I had no reason to. But I sure am glad now for that weekend two years ago, when I met the girl who would become my best friend. When I first saw the girl who I would fall in love with for the rest of my life.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
If I had a day that I could give you
I'd give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I'd sing a song to make you feel this way
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
If I had a tale that I could tell you
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I'd make a wish for sunshine all the while
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine almost always...
