It was about the third month that I spent in Chicago where my homesickness was undeniable. Luckily I had a couple things to look forward to; number one was a visit from my best high school friend for St. Patricks Day. We drank green beer and appletini's and shopped and had a slumber party just like old times.
But the ever so important holiday before that was Pulaski Day! Unbeknownst to me, this was a Polish Holiday celebrated in Illinois, which meant I actually got a couple days off from my internship and my classes. And I celebrated by hosting my boyfriend from out of state.
He had never been to the big city before, so he was a bit harried when he arrived in his little red sports car and black duster jacket. Like something out of a bad romance novel, he embodied my tantric desires right there as he stepped out of the car and welcomed me into his arms, parked on one of the busiest streets in the Gold Coast. I offered him upstairs to the 14th floor, to get some refreshments and meet the roomates. After which, we quickly headed up to North Park, where a couple mutual friends of ours lived and went to graduate school.
That first night was kind of a reunion for all of us. Even though I had been in the area for a few months now, I hadn't even seen my best girl friend, due to her disapproval of my new relationship. Luckily, the disapproval didn't seem to last long, but it made that first night somewhat awkward.
But soon enough we all fell back into our normal group dynamic that we had when we were all going to college together in Iowa. We laughed, shared stories, and remembered why we were such good friends. In fact, if it wasn't for this North Park couple, I would've never met the man I fell in love with.
And as a new couple, lucky in love we were. We could barely keep our hands off each other in those days. Looking back, our public display of affection at that time was almost embarrassing.
Later that night we went to a nearby club, and were definately kept an eye on by the bartender. Of course, we didn't do anything too inappropriate, but I'm sure we weren't the first couple to be monitored in a dimly lit place called "Funk".
After a couple hours nuzzling one another, we headed back to my apartment. I had never witnessed my roomates staying up so late, even on a weekend! Those good Christian girls were bound and determined to make their presence known, so of course, I couldn't get any that night.
The next day we slept in and I showed my beau around town. My surprise for him that night was to take him out for real Chicago-style pizza, and to the infamous "Second City" comedy club. It was such a fun night, but as most adventures with the CTA go, most of our evening was spent navigating and walking and waiting for trains.
Day three of his visit was Pulaski Day. We had planned to go to this museum and that museum, but quickly realized most everything was closed for the Holiday! And after visiting the Natural History Museum, the one touristy place that was open for business, it started to pour rain outside.
And that's when we discovered Blockbuster & Jimmy Johns. Four movies and two subs later, we were happy with our decision to sit on the couch and just cuddle for hours. That's how we spent the rest of Pulaski Day. And six years later, we're still celebrating.
(to be continued...)
