It Was 79 Degrees There Today

Tonight at dinner Dave asked nonchalantly, "So, would anyone like to spend a year in California while I do a visiting professorship at UCSF?"

"Yes," I replied. "Definitely yes." And then I proceeded to reason out the pros of such a decision without getting (or needing) the details of the proposition. "The kids are young. They aren't in school school yet. I could stay home for the year. I've been thinking about wanting to be home with the kids more. I could write probably. I'm sure we could find a nice place."

I stopped talking, finally, to ask Dave. "What do you think? Is it a good gig? Would you like to do it?"

"Nah," he replied. Nonchalantly again.

I know Dave loves St. Paul. I do. And I know that he never plans to leave it. Ever. But I persisted.

"It would be a great experience for Sam and Eloise. They would love the weather. We'd all love the weather."

"Sam," Dave said,"Would you like to live in California or Minnesota?"

"Minnesota," he answered. No hesitation.

"But come on, we should really consider this," I added. "We'd look back on this as the great year we spent in California. Sam could go to preschool there. We'd find a great school, Buddy."

Then I had said too much. Sam burst into tears and wailed, "I don't want to go there. I want to stay here." And then I had to hug Sam for ten minutes while he cried and Dave told him over and over, "Mom was just joking."

For the record, I wasn't joking. But we're not moving to California. Or anywhere that's not Minnesota for that matter. I mean, other people might actually have considered this offer, right? But not my St. Paul boys. They're here to stay.