Finding Beauty in the City

When I moved to Minneapolis, I didn't really know what I was getting into. I'd heard about the terrible winters but they were still terrible in the abstract to me then. I knew Minnesota was a progressive state and that Minneapolis was pretty and had some lakes. 

I've now lived in Minneapolis for 24 years and as much as I complain about the winters, it is becoming harder for me to imagine living anywhere else. Part of that is the community I've built here but part of it is the beauty of the place itself.

When my friend Laurie visited recently, I wanted to show her the beauty that Minneapolis had to offer and in doing so, fell in love with the city all over again. We went to the Stone Arch Bridge and wandered around on the riverfront. The next day, we grabbed coffee at Dogwood before standing on the Lake St-Marshall Bridge to catch of view of the city skyline from a distance while the Mississippi stretched out before us. Then, we went to Minnehaha Falls and as we stood staring at the falls, I was overcome with gratitude that I live in a place where there is so much natural beauty, that I can drive 10 minutes from my house to stand in the mist of a waterfall. 

The forecast calls for snow tomorrow and I know these warm and easy days will be gone for awhile but I am thankful for every one we've had.