Dear Minnesota;

You know how some people and places come into your life, leave footprints on your heart and soul, and somehow you are never ever the same? If you are getting this message, it's because you have touched my life in a very special way. This has been one heck of a 12 months and I have now experienced the Minnesotan extremes of weather, seasons and wonderful people.

I know from experience that I will arrive in Boston blissfully aware of my new surroundings; I'll rejoice in the newness of it all. And then in a couple of months I will miss Minnesota. I'll tell stories about riding my bike and suffering in the fierce headwinds and then sailing home with the wind at my back ). I clocked 16,993 miles on my road bike in that wind last year, and I didn't even ride in December; I'll brag about walking to work in the sub-freezing climate; I'll inform everyone about the black black soil and cornstalks for miles. Nothing will ever compare with my winter jogs through Camden with only Sydney and the wildlife for company--we got married in Camden and don't know what we'd have done without it as our escape [from the wind!]. From Marshall to St. Cloud, Duluth, Grand Marais & Grand Portage, Stillwater, Minneapolis/St.Paul, Fargo/Moorehead, Northfield, Mankato, Taylor's Falls, Rochester...sigh. The list is long and I realize how much I enjoyed Minnesota.

But aside from the places and things I did, what I will really miss...and it won't take me a couple of months to miss either, are the people who have charmed my life while I've lived here. (In no particular order)

Joe & Chantal Bennett---Duluth suits you well---but I can't believe we moved to Marshall and you guys were already gone....my stomach will hurt from laughing if I dare mention the many conversations with you Joe...and the phone messages you've left that Mike and I save because we laugh until we can't breathe! Priceless!

Kim & Rick Olson---I don't think we'd be here if it wasn't for you guys. I remember Mike sitting in the bathtub in Los Altos, CA talking to Rick on the phone one night around Christmas (2004) and that was the clincher. He toasted you with a beer while you got hammered in a bar somewhere...spiced rum with diet coke (w/splenda) was I'm sure your drink that night. I'll miss not being here to welcome the newest little Olle' to the family. I know you'll come visit. Rick I have your Lance book...Call me.

Dave & Lisa Horstmann---Remember my daily Monday calls, Dave, from California? You are the salt of earth...And you hate this kinda junk---so I'll leave it at Thanks and know that you know what I mean. If you can forward this on to Cody and Chad, who graciously tolerated this girl in their "bike-space", that'd be great! Lisa, I have your book still!

Jim, Mary & Jim Muchlinski---always a day-brightener for me. You already know I love you. Uncle Jim and Mike telling "Johnnie" stories after a dinner of Aunt Mary's homemade soup was a treat of an evening that warms me still!

Kathy Eveslage---even before we moved here...just knowing you were here increased the market-value of Marshall---You're the best hound guard we've ever had and we were wondering if you might come to Boston for a little houndsitting?

Pete & Lynne Johnson---How could I get the coolest job in Marshall right before we leave? Keep on riding Pete. Let me know when you're ready for a Seven! Lynne says ya'll will come visit us in Boston on your way to New Hampshire...we'll go and ride the New England back-roads together...

Celeste Lasich---I've learned so much from you. You are one heck of a woman and Marshall is lucky to have a you preaching the good word.

Rachel & Mike Carpenter---My first bike sale in Marshall! And my riding buddies. I will certainly see you on the road still, perhaps you and Mary and Phyllis can plan a Fall colors in New England bike trip!

Mary Baldwin---I'll never forget riding with you Mary. Training with ya'll for RAGBRAI was wonderful! Sometimes I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe---oh yeah, don't crash!!

Phyllis Johnson---You're a hammer! I guess you win the Most Improved Rider award. Between the antics of you and Mary, each and every suffer-fest in the prairie winds was enjoyed by this California girl!

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB; Marge & Sheldon Haaland, Sandy & Bob Fenske, Joanne & Harland Christoffer, Mike and Mary Jacobs, and Don & Carlene Otterson---for everything from my welcome to our wedding...I'll never forget the day when I rode by on my bike right after Tuesday's coffee and Sandy gave me a warm hug and said, "Oh Joni, I'm so glad you're here!" Watch the Calendar Girl's and think of me! (Diane can you forward this to the Birthday Club?)

The Grandstay Cycling Team---Minnesota started feeling like "home" after meeting you guys! Seriously. Casper, Matt, Jim---you make it hard to leave and we will follow your results on the mcf.net website and on the Grandstay website. With Linda and Casper potentially doing Nats next year---we'll see you in Rhode Island for sure. It has been a GRANDstay! And how about Jim being on the same plane ride out to Boston and giving Mike a ride to Seven!

David LaPorte---It figures the year I'd get a very cool job at the Minnesota Bike Race, working for the race instead of a Pro-Team, I'm unsure if I will be there! It'll always be one of the best events I've been to. You do a fabulous job!

Jay "Hollywood" Henderson---You are the "man"! Rock the good life, and ride the good race! I know I will see you on the road and at the races. (Casper...Matt...someone forward this to Hollywood)

Curtis & Bev, The Soupir's, The Bowden's, The Weeks' and The Rupp's---welcoming us from day one as neighbors! We were lucky! (Diane can you forward to the Bowden's) (Dave Horstmann, can you forward to the Week's?)

The Midwest Aviation Crew---Sam, Norman, Doug, Mike, Art, Bill, Jessie, Shelley, Pat, Joel, Eli, Frank, Lee and Charlotte---You all were awesome to work with! Sam...forward this on to everyone for me.

Kennedy Gilbertson, Cindy Fleck, Carrie Radloff, Austin (Powers! International Man of Leasing!), Erin, Curt Kovash, Deb Schnibley, Paul Meyer and all the wonderful people at US Bank...(Kim, can you forward this onto these folks...?) Mike was blessed to have spent the year learning the skills of leasing with you all. Curt, you are one of the finest leaders I have personally ever met. I hardly knew you but you have a calm, solid leadership quality that I can't describe in words, but is admirable all the same. Kennedy and Austin---you're champs! Cindy, Erin, Carrie, Deb, Paul---I always felt welcome with you guys! Thanks! ---also Joe Andries and Dave Verkinderen (Veech?) (Kim, can you forward?)

Paul Johnson---the best dentist I ever had! It was fun bike riding with you---and thanks for being so gentle on my teeth! (Dave Horstmann, can you forward?)

I am missing lots of email addresses and I am wordy as usual.

As my cousin (in law) Douglas said, "It's rare when folks even know what their passion is---rarer yet when they are able to make a career out of their passion". The weirdest thing is how these jobs found us...we weren't even looking. Two careers that speak to our hearts and lifestyles makes the somewhat scary move to Boston worth the risk. We are excited. Mike will be working the "designing process" end of the custom bicycles, and I will be working Sales and Dealer Development---focusing on growing the brand. Look for us at www.sevencycles.com!

And, know that you will be missed by this California girl!

Love,
Joni Taylor