St Helens

I used to live in Oregon.  Patrick and I moved there in 2000 after we were married.  Before that time period Patrick lived there by himself with his Dad.  I was 17 years old.  I went to visit him sometime in November of 1998 and we had already been dating for two years.  We went to this small park where he proposed. 

It was a very sweet proposal filled with all kinds of beautiful promises that he never kept.  When I went to visit Misty last week, this was one of the places I needed to go.  I had this memory in my head of a place I had once been and now I have a new memory with perspective and closure. 

It was neat to see the small town of St Helens, where I spent a year of my life.  They fought so hard to keep a Wal-Mart out of the area, but lost and now (8 years later) they have a Starbucks.  I was totally shocked!  Not much has changed besides that.

I surprised Patrick's brother, Eric, with a visit.  He didn't recognize me at first, but to be fair I did have my glasses on.  It was neat to see him and catch up.  He hasn't changed a bit.  He very sweetly said that I was still considered his Sis. Eric called up his Dad and let me talk to him.  His Dad said he was sorry to lose me as a daughter-in-law.  All in all a nice visit with new memories.  No need to go back to St Helens again.