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Mark Erickson/ Pie Day Recap| Friday, August 18, 2006
Hello,
Chad West here giving the people who weren't able to make it to Mark's annual Pie Day celebration in Braham an update on how it went.
Katy, my fiancée, and I showed up to Mark's parent's house at around 7 pm. We showed up late because Katy had to finish her shift at the bank. Apparently "banker's hours" have been redefined. Consequently, we missed the awesome pies that are served each year during the day. We were in time for the pies last year and it was a true American small town experience. As it does each year, it took place on "Main St" and included dancing, local bands, and a classic car show.
Butch and Dixie, Mark's parents, were very happy to see us. They warmly gave Katy and me a huge and asked us how everything in our lives was doing. Amongst us were about 30 people that included Mark's coworkers from General Mills, neighbors, friends, and family. Most people made a large circle around a recently built campfire in the backyard. The atmosphere was very high energy and positive. Everyone introduced themselves and laughed with each other.
By about 10:00 pm most people had gone and what was left was about seven of us and plenty of vodka red bulls. We began to have some of the most stimulating conversations that I've had in years (no thanks to you guys). The conversation ranged from politics to marriage to raising children. We didn't call it quits until about 5:30 am.
In the morning about 10 of us had breakfast together and we took off shortly afterwards after Dixie walked Katy and I to our car.
The Erickson family truly appreciated us stopping by to celebrate Mark's life and that's absolutely what it was: a celebration. It's amazing how much his family has to give when they've lost so much. I encourage more of us to stop by next year.
Round here we stay up very, very, very, very late -Counting Crows
Forever in Tau Kappa Phi,
Chad