Mini Break Holiday

My Patron Saint

Bridget Jones affects my life, constantly. Channeling her coat and undies-only December sprint I once tromped down two blocks of Central European snow in my trusty Rainbow Sandals*. I have the Edge of Reason to thank for my constant paranoia while travelling in Thailand. Visions of her hard-Madonna filled-jail time panged in my mind as I became a vigilante against unintentional drug trafficking. Bridg has inspired me me eat my feelings, break resolutions and to never go back to an ex (no matter how good his hair his). And most importantly she infused three important words into my life: Mini Break Holiday.

*word to the wise: DO NOT DO THAT!! B-Girl smartly wore sneakers! Wear the sneakers!!!

Source

What's In A Name? 

For whatever reason, I love the silliness of the phrase. Apparently the English do not go on trips, getaways or vacations. They holiday. And when time is of the essence, they go on mini break holidays.

According to my Jones-impression a mini break holiday has several essential characteristics:

1.While a mini break holiday can be a visit to friends or family the key participants are romantic partners.

2. A mini break holiday cannot take place in your own city.

3. The duo must road-trip to their destination; convertibles and open windows are encouraged.

4. There must be time spent communing with nature.

And my personal amendment, that I am sure Bridget would approve of:

5. You should probably eat things that entirely wonderful and entirely unhealthy.

The Deets

Preston and my previous mini break holidays include a trip to the Hunter Valley, New South Wales' wine country, and a weekend spent in Oceanside, California. Down under we swam in the morning, wine tasted in the afternoon and saw 942,420,187,048 Christmas lights in the evening. The junk food count consisted of eating cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our second MBH consisted of body surfing, happy hour and Legoland. Room-service, apple fries and two many two-dollar beers landed on our delicious-but-not-nutritious food tally. Our most recent mini break holiday landed us in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. And this trip's yummy time was all about wedding cookies and McDonald's infamous dollar menu.

A photo of our "Photo mini break holiday Souvenir"

You've Got A Friend

A two-way highway laced with evergreens led to an old friend's wedding day. Or rather a new-ish friend with old sentiments. Preston and I met Lenora during the summers we spent at Luther Heights summer camp. And though I've only known Lenora for four years, and hadn't seen her in two the warmth between us has sustained. I think it's because our friendship was built around play. 

A bit of summer camp weirdness
Lenora and I are the ones in the swimsuits

Made-up games, nicknames and lost nights of sleep seem to be the terms of our friendship. Our memories exists in a second childhood. And in that sense we are childhood friends. This kind of friendship is not exclusive to Lenora and I. Rather it seems to dwell between all camp friends. 

Going The Chapel

Lenora and Sam's wedding was entirely them. Their ceremony was filled with perfect harmonies(thanks Concordia Choir guests for carrying the rest of us) and well-loved melodies. The reception was intimate and enchanting; consisting of Norwegian Golf, 4,000 cookies and a lake.

In lieu of glass tapping the couple explained that they would only kiss when a guest serenaded them with a song that included the word "love". I am happy to say that my rendition of "All You Need Is Love" kicked off the kissing. The best man and maid of honor's speeches captured the couple and with the kind of truth that makes you laugh. The evening closed with a bonfire at the groom's parent's house. Two-buck chuck served in red cups and wide stretched smiles sealed in the happiness of the day.

Annika, Lenora & I
And yes, I am a total goober and forgot to get a photo of the bride and groom

Seeings friends has a way of making you feel at home. Moreover returning from a mini break holiday has a way of making you feel at home. So it just so happens I find myself feeling doubly at home in the midwest.