What happens in Chicago...

What happens in Chicago...

Should probably stay in Chicago, right?

Eh, where is the fun in that?!   So, before I explain this picture...let me back up a bit...

It all started some 37 years ago....I suppose these days the kids would call Karen, Nancy and Cathy my posse or my crew.  But back then, we were just friends.  We met in 7th grade, and with common personalities and interests, we ended up staying friends throughout high school and beyond.  

 Next month marks 30 years since we graduated high school.   While chatter started online about the possibility of a class reunion, none of it sounded very interesting to us.  What did sound interesting and way more fun was to spend a weekend with those friends we met so long ago and yet to this day, remain good and trusted friends.  That was a milestone worth celebrating, not meeting up at some country club, and dining with random strangers we went to school with so very long ago.   

We talked about where-and-when we wanted to reunite.   As is our usual style, we opted to keep it simple.   We picked a city that would make it easy for us to all gather:   either by train or by plane. We picked a time of year that would hopefully give us good weather and not too many crowds.  A bonus for me would be to go when I would usually be working, so it would seem more like I was indeed "running away from home".  And well, alas, watch out Chicago, here we come!  

First to arrive were Nancy and I....

And on Saturday, Cathy and Karen would join us

(who by the way,  ended up  also becoming  sister-in-laws, with Cathy marrying Karen's brother...and here you thought that only happened in the movies!  

So, now that the gang is all here, let's recap...

While In Chicago....

We feasted....

We spotted some curious sights....

And some familiar-landmark sights...

We noticed that in Chicago, April showers did indeed bring May flowers...

And but of course, we shopped...

 Until we dropped...

(ok, we didn't drop, we just got a little punch drunk goofy....)

And after Cathy and Karen took the evening train back to Milwaukee...

Nancy and I went in search of a little bit of religion....

And finally, what about this guy?

  

His name was Marco

He wore a Diamond

(come on now, start humming the Barry Manilow Copacabana)

Oh never mind....his name really was Marco, and he really was from Rio...

and as for the rest of the story...you just had to be there...

Thank you Karen, Nancy and Cathy....not only for a fun filled weekend in Chicago but for being such an important part of my life these past 30 plus years.   This journey we call life is indeed much sweeter when shared with the company of good people like you ladies.

And a shout of thanks for friends here in Colorado who helped keep the Things safe in our absence.   With Hubby somewhere in Alaska, and me headed out of town, it did indeed take a village to make this adventure fall into place in such a picture perfect way!