Tuesday, March 25, 2008

finding a little (but grand!) piece of me

Standing in the entry way of a restaurant on Grand Avenue tonight, awaiting the arrival of my dearest cousin, Jess, I thought to myself, now this is me. This is who I am. I am a Grand Avenue kind of girl.

Although I enjoy going out downtown for an occasional dinner, I've never been (nor will I ever go) "clubbing" and the one-way streets give me an instantaneous migraine.

Uptown is funky, artsy and so much fun. I actually lived near Uptown the year before I married, enjoying the lakes on a daily basis, but I never really fit the uptown mold. If you know ME, you know I'm NOT funky, I'm NOT artsy, and though I like to THINK I'm fun, I'm probably not the "uptowny" kind of fun.

I always wondered where my personality fit into the city life. I've lived here for eight years and have always felt a little out of sorts. I grew up in a small town, a town situated between 1,000 lakes, and I never pegged myself as living in the cities. But here I am, raising my family with my husband in the city, and the outlook of moving back to my hometown does not look promising...

But quite honestly, I'm fine with that. Because tonight, I found a little peace in feeling like I belonged in the entry way of the restaurant on Grand Avenue. Ironically, in a weird twist of fate, I sort of began my life in the city on Grand Avenue. About a mile down the street from where I stood tonight, I bought my wedding dress...So yes, my life, as it is today, actually began (but let's hope it won't end, because that would be really ironic!) on Grand Avenue. No wonder I feel so comfortable and peaceful standing on that street. I love it there. I'm truly a Grand Avenue kind of girl!

6 comments:

Mamaskills said...

So I have no idea where that is - how bout a girls night out!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a fun, intriguing post! I love Grand Ave, too. Haven't been there in ages. What's the coffee shop with an upstairs? Anyway, great post...fun to read and get even a little more insight into YOU!

Angela said...

I love this post, Amanda! Jennifer wrote exactly waht I was going to write... very fun and interesting post! you know I have to laugh because your very first post you wrote something about being the worst blogger in the world... far from it girlfriend! I love reading your blog!

Lakeville Vertical said...

Grand is truly Grand. My sis used to live near there and my other sis bought her wedding dress there too. It's a lovely place to eat and shop. Glad you found a peice of yourself!

Jenny said...

I'm with ya, girl!!! I love that area of St Paul! It's kind of urban-chic but uppey. What in the world is "uppey"? I don't know, but that's what it is. Very nice.

mck mama - it's Cafe Latte. My faave. mmmm...

Natalie said...

Cafe latte is my favorite place to eat in the world. I bought my wedding dress at "The Wedding Shop" on Grand, I didn't even look anywhere else. Kris and I had countless dates on Grand Ave because we love it so much. Whenever we come back we ALWALYS go to Grand. Love your post and love to admit that I too, am a Grand Ave kind of girl.
Miss you, friend