Today is December 24th, and I am sitting on my floor thinking of the love of my life.

Just kidding. Maybe.

About two weeks ago I had the pleasure of staying with one of my best friends (Sarah Kohlbeck) in St. Paul Minnesota. The original plan was for me to room with her at Savannah College of Art and Design, but life had other plans! Luckily though, we remained friends and I am so grateful for that!

Before continuing on with telling of my great supposed love, I must first go to the beginning of the adventure. It started at 5:30 am, in the Atlanta airport. It was my first time flying alone, and I was unconventionally calm stepping through the sliding doors. Up until that point I was majorly stressing over messing something up or forgetting some important document. However, the minute I walked up to the delta kiosk, I was calm and collected. (Just another reassurance of my need for travel I assume.) I continued on with excitement and slight nerves. My excitement was extinguished however when an older man began to brag of his accomplishments to me waiting to board the plane. If you know me personally, you know I can be extremely awkward around adults that seem to be of parental age. As we boarded I prayed to be free of the awkward discussion and thankfully my prayers were answered when we parted for our differing seat numbers. The flight continued with bliss and wifi (another blessing) building my excitement once again. Upon landing I met up with my lovely friend Lauren Hamm at my luggage terminal, and we awaited to be whisked away on adventures by Sarah! And it was truly an adventure I must admit.

Our first day in the lovely Minnesota was spent all over the Twin Cities. We shopped on Hennepin, saw a lake (!), ate at one of my new favorite restaurants (The Bad Waitress), explored the Walker Arts Center, and to end the day the Mall of America. Sarah works at the UO there, so Lauren and I had plenty of time to shop around! However, we were not expecting to see a massive amusement park in the center! I knew the Mall of America was known for its size, but I was not expecting to see full on roller coasters in the middle of a shopping mall! Lauren and I had too much fun gaping over everything that was there. A few hours later we were reunited with Sarah and decided to head downtown to Minneapolis to check on the venue that we were expecting to see The 1975 in.

Did I mention that was how this trip came about? Of course it was due to them. But what isn’t in my life? (Joking I swear. Maybe…)

So, yes, on December 10th at First Avenue & 7th St Entry, ‘The Dream Team’ was headed to queue for one of the best nights in my existence (at least to date). But before we delve into the evening I must tell you of my shower that afternoon. During said shower, I heard the loudest beckon of my name in my life. “AAAAAALEEEEESSSSAAAAA!!!!!” I hear coming from Sarah, and I immediately hop out of the shower. “THE 1975 ARE AT THE CURRENT, (MPLS/STPAUL’s favorite local radio station) WE HAVE TO GO!” So in record breaking time we were ready and out the door on a scavenger hunt to meet The 1975. Unfortunately though, we were too late. Due to my calling of the radio station claiming to be with First Avenue, we found out they were on their way there. Not defeated but rather energized we finished getting ready and rushed out the door at around 3 pm to queue. Surprisingly though, we managed to worm our way to the SECOND ROW. Now that my friends, is an accomplishment. Especially at The 1975’s concerts! The night proceeded with a transcendent ambience. Energy radiated in waves and a sort of intimacy with the band was met. It rivaled the time I first saw them, and was definitely a more personal experience. During the song Me, I broke down (yes really…) for I truly take the lyrics to heart. The song also holds quite a heavy history with me, it was a song I listened to frequently when I was deep in a mental illness. So yes, I broke down, and felt so loved by my friends and family in that moment. They were the reason I got through it, and it was incredible to be in that moment a year later completely on the other side.

An unforgettable night indefinitely.

The night continued with meeting not The 1975, but another personal favorite band, Hippo Campus. (They were also enjoying the show). We queued until midnight for Matty and the boys to come out, but I don’t blame them for not, it was frigid out. We promptly there after grabbed a quick bite at a pub and headed home. My dreams were nostalgically filled with sweet memories of the concert.

The following morning we went to meet one of Sarah’s best friends, and soon to be one of my good friends Rosemary. Rosemary attends the University of Minnesota, or ‘The U’ as they call it. Rosemary has such a sweet soul and I am so thankful to call her a friend now! That’s the best thing about adventures and travels. The people you meet and the experiences that shape who you are and who you will become. Later that night we said goodbye to Lauren as she headed back home to Texas. The realization of my trip coming to an end was surprisingly heart wrenching. My last days were spent in a literal haze of bliss and unexpected adventures that truly impacted me. The people I’ve met and the spontaneity of those five days have been burned into my heart. The urban ambience, the art, the little coffee shops, the wintery weather, the music scene, and the literal everything resonated with my every passion. Going into this trip I didn’t expect to like it anymore than any other place I’ve visited. But those Twin Cities, how they have absolutely stolen my heart.

My heart is now in three parts- New York, Paris, and the Twin Cities.

To all of you who made me leave a piece of my heart behind, it was truly worth it. Thank you.