God reminds me time and again. I’m blessed with friends I’ve made over my lifetime. I met people in the navy starting back in 1983 whom I have been friends with since. It blows my mind.

The past two days was that precise reminder. My good friend Frankie Valez came by for a couple of days. Yep, in the middle of winter. When he arrived the temperature was -15F. And, typical of Minnesota, he leaves today and it may reach 40F. Quite a swing in range. We rented snowmobiles over by Mille Lacs lake on Saturday morning; returning them Sunday afternoon. We put on 93 miles the first day and another 95 miles the second.

We might be feeling the age in our bodies. It kind of surprised us the impact that kind of sledding had on the muscles, both a bit slow this morning. The cool thing is we made another memory to add to the many we reminisced over our time together.

The scenery we discovered was priceless, seeing parts of Minnesota you can only find on the back of a snowmobile. The first day was filled with sunlight and day two was filled with snow fall; all day. We also discovered an awesome dive to eat and drink at called Jack’s Shack just a bit north on the east side of Mille Lac lake. I will definitely go back there.

This morning we wrapped our fellowship over coffee before Frankie headed off to the airport. We had final reflections on how we are able to be ourselves and don’t have to put on the roles the world expects of us professionally. It was a time to relax and be free, which is something we all should do. It’s been awhile for me anyway. That is what a vacation is supposed to do.

I love my navy family. Any of them are welcome in my home any time; day or night.