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Time flies. It’s been two weeks since my 15-year-old son Jonathan and I returned home to Denmark after visiting Fargo in connection with our 30th reunion.

PAST AND PRESENT UNITED – WITH AN ADDITION
What an amazing time catching up with old friends! Some I saw 20 years ago when the reunion was nicely scheduled one weekend from Leanne & Andy Magnotto’s wedding which I came over to attend. Others I hadn’t seen for more than 30 years.
Andy & Leanne were again amazing hosts this time, now for both my son and me. They deserve more thanks and appreciation than can be expressed. My son was pretty hard to drag home with me. Andy claims in his usual manner that it’s due to the superior American culture, an argument we’ll probably never finish. That would take Andy to cave in in a discussion (not too likely to see that happen) or me for that matter (not too likely either).
I pride Jon Ural and myself for NOT falling for the obvious temptation to say the ususal, however hesitant ‘Oh, yea, I remember you’, when in fact neither of us recognized the other – because really, we couldn’t have since Jon arrived in the junior year, and I was only at North as a sophomore...

WHAT IS WEALTH?
People can be rich in many ways. I consider myself extremely so with such great memories from Fargo and long-lasting relationships, now revitalized by the reunion.

THEREFORE… THANK YOU, ALL
First of all: A great thank you to Nowelle and the group around her for the enormous work in putting the reunion together!
Another great thank you to Cheryl for having her friends open what is now their home one - moving - evening so I could visit what used to be “my” house and room back in 1983-84. I also visited my old host parents’ grave at Riverside Cemetary a couple of quiet early mornings and was of course filled with gratitude there as well for them opening their home back then to a 16-year old Dane.
Finally: A great thank you to all of you with whom I visited in the fun noise at Labby’s Friday night (where nobody could be really sure if they were having the same discussion with whoever they were talking to…) and at the great Saturday night at Edgewood. Great laughs and sentimental coughs to see the slide presentation. Some shared old and fun school memories. I felt the urge to contribute, but was maybe too trapped in the for me unreal opportunity of actually just being there with all of you to go any other ways than this…:
So, with this – somewhat lengthy, sorry – message I hope to express my current gratefulness to so many of you who have made an impact on my life. Impossible to mention you all. Some I met this time, others I missed.

WHAT’S NEXT?
Who knows, maybe, in another 10 years?
Till then, the bug has spread:
Now my son wants to go to the US as an exchange student in the school year 2017-2018. Can you guess his top priority? Fargo and North High! He wears his new Spartan T-shirt to school here in Denmark as often as possible.

Hi again
On my way (waiting for connecting flight i Frankfurt). Jonathan has been at Andy's for a week already. I'll get to Fargo Tuesday after spending some days with an old University of Chicago friend (still in the Chi area). But...
you mention Scott in your school story. Where is our old church buddy this time? I rememeber him active at the 10 reunion back in 96. Can you run him up anywhere?

David Helfner use to live a couple blocks away from me, in the Madison neighborhood, and I enjoyed going over to his house to visit him, and play on his atari system. He was such a nice guy, and people should be ashamed at themselves on how poorly they treated him, and teased him to.

I remember Tom Loomis especially in Ben Franklin Junior High. He was always willing to listen to my concerns on how poorly fellow students were treating me. He was such a good friend, and such a good listener also.

Posted on: Jun 28, 2016 at 6:51 AM

Only ab. a month to the reunion: How's it going with registrations? Many yet?
Looking forward to seeing old friends again - hope attendance will be high.
Do you know: Is there a chance to stop by and see North High? (I don't stop by so frequently).
Will arrive at Andy Magnotto's 2-3 days before the reunion.

Hey Darin,
Going to the reunion?
I'm coming.
Recall horsebackriding with you back at 10 years reunion?
Hope to see you
Jens

Posted on: Jun 02, 2016 at 12:47 PM

I have stayed in touch with Andy Magnotto over the many years since North High which I only attended as a sophomore, but recall vividly. Andy and his family have visited us in Denmark, and I have visited Andy's family with mine.
While planning for my 15 yr old son to come and stay with Andy's familly 3 weeks this summer, Andy informed me ab the reunion plans. So, all of a sudden I find myself planning a trip to Fargo as well - where I still should stay out of my son's way!
Hope to see many of you at the reunion. If I can come, so can you...

It has been 30 long years since I saw all of you last. Hope we can reconnect and see what each and everyone has been up to over the years.