Annette and I went up to her Grandpa's place this weekend. It was very relaxing. He lives on a lake in northern MN, and there're literally nobody around him. I realized when walking outside w/ Annette that I really do want to have something like that someday. Even if it's just a cabin, or it isn't until I retire, it doesn't matter. I just know I was very relaxed all weekend and it felt good. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city will do that. But I also enjoyed watching the birds eating and the water rippling on the lake. I could sit and watch that for days and not be bored.

It was interesting talking to her grandpa. I love hearing stories of thing that happened a long time ago. As a kid I never cared much about that stuff, but as an adult I think I have a better appreciation for it. Hearing him talk about WWII, and how he would diagnose German's as well as American's, and teach the German's things (he was a Lab Tech), was really interesting. Seeing old pictures of *his* father when he was a kid was interesting as well. Something about a 100 year old photo is rather awe inspiring.

But while we were up there I couldn't help but feel a little sad for her grandpa. Her grandma passed a few months ago, and that's just gotta be hard. For as little time as Annette and I have been together, the thought of losing her would devistate me. I can only imagine what her grandpa must be going through. Perhaps when you're older it's a little easier to deal with, but I can't imagine that losing someone you've been with and loved your whole life can ever be easy.

I like vacations like these because it puts things for me in perspective. It is very easy to get caught up in work and daily routines, that you often forget what's important. While I really never take Annette for granted, it's weekends like these that prove to me what a great person she is, and how lucky I am to have her in my life. She makes me so happy, I just can't imagine being with anyone else. And for that, I am very thankful.