They don’t call it the w i n d y c i t y for nothing!
This past weekend I went on the most wonderful get-away to Chicago. My brother and his fiancée Whitney have both lived in Chicago for the past 3+ years which means I’ve had the opportunity to visit a couple of times.
I visited in January 2008 with my good college friend Elliot when temps (with wind chill) reached something like -20. We visited the Aquarium, the Field Museum and Second City, but what I most remember about that trip was freezing my butt off! Here I am all decked out in my 5+ layers at the bean.
I was back again last May to see my brother and Whitney graduate from Law School. Here they are – future current lawyers in Chicago! Scary I know…
Both trips were fun in their own ways and I couldn’t wait for this getaway.
I flew in on Thursday to have an extra evening to see a good friend living in Chicago. Sarah and I have been friends since our freshman year in high school in CT and we’ve been on a bunch of fun adventures. Shes always traveling and has spent a bunch of time abroad so it was great to catch her in Chicago! We had a few drinks outside at a cute bar in Old Town.
Friday (after my mom arrived) we drove out to see some of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park, IL (just outside of Chicago). The neighborhood is jam-packed with them and it was a fun morning. That evening we ate at one of my favorite Chicago restaurants: Piece located in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Its right by the old Real World: Chicago house (now converted to a gym according to Whitney). Dinner was great but what I received at dinner was even better. (photographs taken back in Philly)
Right after we ordered Whitney handed me an envelop:
The front of the card:
And the inside said…
my response? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait for their wedding in Chicago a year from this May!
Saturday was filled with visiting the wedding venue (located right on the river!)…
…attempting to get up in the Sears (Willis) tower, deciding not to because of the hour-long(!) wait and another great meal at another Chicago favorite: Flat Top Grill.
Of course I couldn’t leave Chicago on Sunday without getting my fill of Whitney’s favorite coffee: Intelligentsia! They make some beautiful designs in their lattes.
It was an awesome weekend. I’m sure I’ll be back soon!
Check back here later this week for a really simple weeknight dinner recipe!
I miss you already!
Looks like you had a great weekend in Chicago! It was great seeing you, and I’m glad I can keep up with you now via a blog!