Schneid Remarks

As our family was driving north Christmas Eve to celebrate with my wife's family in Le Center, I realized it was my 25th Christmas with the Von Banks.

It is funny how times have changed in that quarter century.

There were three sisters and their husbands that first year. A niece and a nephew, and two family friends also attended. And then there was the awkward new boyfriend...me.

Now the family room in the basement has swelled into nieces, nephews, their boyfriends and girlfriends, and children. The same Christmas tree still stands, but the faces have changed.

I remember being there for the first time, not sure how I should act or what to do. Imagine that - me not knowing how to act.

Being the boyfriend and not really knowing the rest of the family was kind of daunting. I had only met the rest of the family a time or two, if that.

So when our two nieces brought their boyfriends and a nephew brought his girlfriend and young son to the yearly celebration Thursday, I felt for the newcomers.

For one young man, it was his first appearance at a Von Bank (my wife's maiden name) function. The other two had been to other family events.

Knowing how they felt, I tried to make it more comfortable for them, as did the rest of the family.

I still remember that first time I was privileged enough to attend the annual Christmas Eve celebration. I was nervous. I was nervous for weeks heading into the evening. Do I need to bring an appetizer? Do I need to bring Jayne's parents a gift? Do I need to give anyone else a gift? How should I dress? How will I fit in? Do I bring my future wife's gift to this event, or do I save it for later? Should I even get Jayne a gift?

We had only been a couple for a very short time. I like buying gifts for people, so of course I was going to buy her something. Jayne can probably remember what I bought her. Me, I can't remember what I did yesterday, much less 9,125 days ago.

Actually yesterday I watched the Packers get smoked, the Vikings smoke the Giants, and I watched more than five hours of the World Series of Poker. So I guess I can remember yesterday. P.S., I don't even play poker. LOL. Not sure why I was switching back and forth, but it was interesting.

Now 25 years later, four nieces and nephews attended the Von Bank Christmas. Our son is now the only member of the family under the age of 18. One of the nephews has a girlfriend who has a toddler, so that was really fun to see.

I miss the Christmases when we could shop for the youthful nieces and nephews. Shopping for them is much easier than for a couple of 20-somethings, two recent graduates, and a 15-year-old.

When all was said and done, it looked like the new members of the Von Bank family fit in quite well. Now we will see if they last 25 years like I have. Good luck to them.

I really couldn't have fallen into a better family.

Thank you Von Banks for welcoming me into your family a quarter century ago. Here's to another 25 years!

****

In this week's paper Lisa wrote a story about former WEM teacher Patrick Mader and the new book he just wrote, Minnesota Gold.

I read Lisa's story last week and was very interested in this publication. I checked out his website and read one of the stories in this 400 page book. I was hooked. The book is about Minnesotans who competed in the Olympics.

As my wife and I were driving to Christmas, I told her I would like this book for Christmas. Of course all gifts have been purchased and I would have to wait until my birthday. Well, I didn't have to wait after all.

Mader stopped at the Lake Region LIFE office Monday and graciously gave Lisa and I autographed copies of the book.

I knew Mader was a sports enthusiast, but not to the extent I found out Monday. We chatted for 10 minutes, discussing the book and obscure Minnesota athletes who only a few would know of. I could sit down with him for hours talking about sports, especially those sports very few people pay attention to. Those are the sports I like.

He and I share the same love of sports, including my favorite sport, track and field. This book features 57 Minnesotans who competed in the Olympics. They include everything from hockey players, handball players, triple jumpers, and fencers. Many of these star athletes people don't even know. I knew most of them, which made this book a must read. But finding out more about their personal journeys to stardom was really cool.

Hats off to Patrick Mader and his book.

Check out Mader's website at www.patrickmader.com for more on this book and other books he has penned. I told him I am already anticipating volume two.

Mader said there are more than 200 other living Olympians in Minnesota and he may write a second book. I certainly hope he does!

Thank you for the early birthday present!