Ohio!

My grandfather passed away in December - my last grandparent - but they waited until Spring hoping many could get vaccinated and join together in celebrating his life. I was able to fly to Columbus Friday through Monday, and I am so grateful COVID is finally winding down. It was great to see so many.

FRIDAY

I woke up early (4:30), so I could leave for the airport by 5am. I took Ryan's car, so he could have my big car for the weekend. Flying still made me feel like we were in a pandemic - constant mask-wearing, sanitary wipes distribution, prepackaged snack-packs on the planes, Xed seats at the gates, and deplaning by rows. Even the long-term parking lot was closed, but I found a spot at the very top of the garage.

I arrived just after Rob, so he waited for me and Mom & Dad - who'd arrived the day before - picked us up in a rental car mini-van. We drove around and saw our old schools, old houses and even grabbed fast food and ate at a park we liked to play at as kids (Blendon Woods). Then we picked up Sean & Julian and met up with Jared at the hotel. 

We went to another fun park (Friendship) and wandered a while. It was my dad's 70th birthday, so we went to Massey's Pizza to celebrate. It was definitely as perfect and delicious as I have been dreaming about the last 10 years! 

Jared booked a suite so we'd have a space to hang out, but we didn't stay up too late this first night.

SATURDAY

Rob and I got up early - we shared a room - and went for a 2-mile walk through some neighborhoods. After getting ready, we headed to the Memorial Service altogether. Grandpa Roy was buried in St Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. It was beautiful. He was part of the peace forces after World War II and a firefighter in Columbus, so there was a nice 21-gun salute and bugler. A Catholic deacon said some kind words, and my Uncle Tom dedicated the grave.

Afterwards, we headed to Uncle Rick's house for City Barbeque and Aunt Vicky's Italian pastas. There was plenty of time to chat with cousins, aunts and uncles from everywhere. There were people from California, Utah, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Indiana and Ohio. It was so nice. It was also my grandpa's widow's 90th birthday, so we were able to sing to her. 

Afterwards, we went and got Graeter's ice cream (about as yummy as all yummy ice cream, but nothing I lay awake thinking about having again). 

Afterwards, we headed to Gahanna's Creekside and had a nice long walk along the water, golf course and shopfronts. Mom & Dad headed back to the hotel, but "us kids" walked to Jared's favorite restaurant, Lola's. Unfortunately, prom reservations made it impossible for us to eat there. Since we had to walk back to the hotel anyway, we stopped in at Massey's as we passed by and had some more pizza! 

Jared's room served as another good long chatting place, and us sibs stayed up way too late talking and catching up. I just love my brothers so much! We don't get to see each other very often, so it is always a blessing when we do. 

SUNDAY

Jared, Sean and Julian were already well on their ways home by the time I woke up and rushed to get ready for Church. We were able to attend Gahanna Ward, where we grew up. I chatted with Deb & Don Frazier (it was her birthday) and Dean Hartzell (our faithful home teacher). It was the 1-year anniversary of David Smith's heart attack and death, so after sacrament meeting, we headed to Julie's house to visit with her. She has had a rough year, for sure, but it was so good to see her. 

I hurried back to the hotel where my best high school friend, Sarah, picked me up for lunch. We met up with Christy, another best friend from my younger years, at Creekside. We were able to chat about marriage and children for several hours. We still have very similar views about family and life, and it was refreshing to be together again. We enjoyed some tacos outside on the patio. 

In the evening, we headed to Kroger for a snack run, and Rob & I prepared to head home. It was nice to chat with my parents, and I enjoyed some delicious Kroger fudge cake. 

MONDAY

We were up at 4:30 again, so we could leave by 5am. Thankfully, Dad was able to chauffer Rob & I back to the airport together. It was another long day of masking, social distancing and airports. I got home in time to take a nap before running the kids to all their activities (art club & choir concert). 

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Big thanks to Ryan for doing 2 birthday parties, 2 soccer games and full 2-hour church. I am so grateful I never have to worry if he'll let me get away. I had a wonderful weekend full of family and friends who I hadn't seen in 2-10 years. I felt ready to tackle kids and family all over again when I got back. The weather was absolutely perfect - sunny and 70 with low humidity the whole time we were in Ohio. A great long weekend, for sure!