09/02/2026
"Finally got to experience the DIZZY thing in real life............"
While tossing out pizzas and a pop-up french dip night, I get a ticket that says "Jeff C." Scratches head. 🤷♂️
Prior to this, I see a large, hearty man sitting at the bar by himself drinking a pint, and while pumping out food for others, I'm thinking, that looks a lot like a "Christianson" I know. In fact, he looks just like a kid I used to know and maybe he grew up. But what would he be doing here?
*keeps cooking, but also thinking. Can't help it. Always thinking. Ugh.
Low and behold, Dallas comes into the kitchen and says "your second cousin is out there."
Yep.
My radar is still trackin'
Like remembering the band no one can think of from the 80's but you nail it with 2 notes.
After crankin' out most of the food, we finally got a conversation.
*mind you, we haven't seen each other since my dad's funeral 14 years ago.
We were never close, grew up in the same podunk way, at/during different times. In northern MN.
And here lies "family" right before me.
But he's unfamiliar. An adult now. New territory. He was a kid then. Why is he here? Let it just happen.
Conversation starts off small, per normal relationship rekindling or getting-to-know-each-other situations.
Then it happens.
I could be this guy's dad btw. Welp, not by looking at the photo, but YEARS wise. What is this "kid" doing here? IDK?
Side note, I grew up with his dad. And he was a legend.
And here we are.
Generations apart. Common memories, kinda. But by the end of the conversation, so so so much more.
All this to say, maybe we aren't that different after all. Not so divided. Time marches on, yet some things hopefully stay the same.
Even in the house we built, I still meet strangers, that become friends, sometimes even actual FAMILY. Who knew? Even when they're actually family.
Jeff knew.
He was here training with RDO @ Deere. From FARGO, ND. Which is basically at the edge of the Antarctic ice wall. Yet, made a point of coming here. Why? 🤷♂️ Planned it. I had no idea.
And thank you JEFF!
More than you know from a frustrated, burnt out old relative that you only knew as a kid. Yet you made the effort.
Kinda think this sums things up.
For all of us.
Blessed.
And thank you all for doin' the same. I see it.
"Strangers becoming family."
"Enjoy the ride."
*unless they're sh*tty family, then embrace the strangers." 🤣
"Glad I got to experience it for myself. Thanks Jeff!" Proud of you SIR. Take care of your beautiful family, do some dad sh*t and let the chips fall where they may. Till we see each other again, in maybe another 14 years. I'll be rooting you on."
"Enjoy the ride."
