I'm en route back to Boston after a wonderful few days in the Quad Cities, primarily to celebrate Numad Patrick as he married his lovely wife Rachel at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport on Saturday. Kelly was able to fly in from Rapid City, and I came in from Boston.
Matt held down The Garage back in Rapid City because, while Kelly and I were sitting on the sidelines watching the wedding party "cut a rug" on the dance floor, Minneapolis-based indie rock group Bad Bad Hats were taking the stage as part of The Garage Concert Series we co-produce with Jason Alley at Jackalope
It was a beautiful day for a wedding, and wonderful to be in attendance to celebrate the couple. Patrick and Rachel met at St. Ambrose University (also where Matt and I went to school) and have been inseparable ever since. Fr. Bud Grant, a professor and pastor (and a former Morning Fill Up guest), gave a wonderful, poignant homily during the wedding about unity.
Kelly and I were honored to be there, and we can't wait to see what happens next for Patrick and Rachel. We're also looking forward to welcoming them to Rapid City this summer.
No trip to the Quad Cities could be complete without a few visits to the good people we work with there. On Friday, Kelly and I were able to spend a good amount of time with Anne Gannaway at St. Ambrose, Sherry Ristau and her team at the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, and with our advisory board member Ed Henkhaus. Each of these people and organizations are doing really wonderful things in the community, and it is a joy to work alongside them and support their important work.
As I said good-bye to Kelly last week, I mentioned that I was looking forward to being home for a while. She reminded me that bushCON is only a couple of weeks away. It is hard to believe it's almost May.
Which also means it is time to get our flower boxes planted at home in Beacon Hill.