Remembering the stories: Friendship Gems-The Kohls

Next up in the friendship series: The Kohls

Unlike the Nygaards and Connie- exactly when and how they came into our family circle isn't quite as clear cut.

In fact, in the spring of 2022, after learning that Tom had passed away- I recall asking Richard "So, where did you guys meet." Richard paused and admitted he didn't really remember- he knew that they were both attending UW-Madison but then scratched his head noting that Tom was completing his undergrad and Richard was working on his masters, in two very different fields of study. "You know-now that I think about it, I don't know how our paths crossed- maybe it was Una and Audrey. I think they were on the same softball team?"

Ok- that's when I realized he was filling in gaps with his signature tall tales. A well practiced skill of our dad's that became easier to identify the older Laura and I got. Anyways, our mom was a lot of things- but athletically inclined enough to join a softball league? That would be a solid nope in her opinion. I knew it was time to consider outside sources to authenticate this tale and uncover how the Kohls-Granum friendship formed.

And sure enough-yes, it was Una and Audrey that introduced the guys. And as we suspected, no softball team was involved- instead their mutual friend Connie connected the dots that her co-worker Una was going to Madison to see her beau and her roommate Audrey was also seeing a young man attending grad school in Madison.

And as the stories go- the two couples would go on became life long friends

bonding over all things Wisconsin

Tailgate parties,

football games

lazy summer days at the pool

and of course

Brandy Old Fashioned...Tom's signature drink

he even made sure to teach the next generation

the fine art of CHEERS!

I would develop my own special bond with Tom and Una-

as they were bestowed the honor

-more like challenge-

of becoming my godparents

And while they themselves had two young daughters similar in age to my sister and I..

they always took time to be there for the important milestone moments in my life

confirmation...

graduation

and commissioning

they'd dance at our weddings...

oh never mind- just at Laura's wedding

as to this day, Una with a teasing grin-

reminds me that I didn't invite her to my wedding...

clearly all was forgiven-as they visited soon after I became a mom..

The families would start to drift apart after Audrey died.

joining us all in Wyoming for Audrey's last big hoorah..

which happened to also be my graduation weekend..

The treasured family-shared Green Bay Packer tickets would be passed on to just the Kohls- around the time the Packers moved their entire season to Green Bay and started adding giant sized NFL fees to the cost passed on to the fans. Richard cried foul and turned over ownership to just the Kohls. In hindsight- I think he too felt that loss of Audrey in ways we never really spoke about..

Richard and the Kohls would continue to connect over occasional phone calls or short visits when they found their paths crossing in FL (where dad snowbirded for a few seasons, and they retired to) or in WI (where The Kohls summered and dad retired to)

joining us for an 80th birthday bash-in 2013

In March 2022- we learned that Tom had passed away.

This loss, coupled with the passing of Richard just six months later, has sparked a reconnection- as younger daughter Becky and I shared words of condolences- followed up by a few trips down memory lane

neither of us clearly recall the why Becky joined us on a family vacation..

but she did recall enjoying the time she spent with our family

Earlier this month- I was fortunate to link up with Una and Becky. Over lunch we shared stories and reminisced on just how important the Kohls were in parts of our family story. We made plans-ones I am determined to keep- to meet up again this summer- and enjoy a Brandy Old Fashion (or two) in celebration of Tom and Richard.

As for the Packer tickets- they are still in the family- with Becky taking ownership after her dad passed away.

Becky and Laura- circa 1977-hard to imagine she's now the sole

heiress to those coveted Packer Tickets!

When her adult kids learned it was my parents that first got the tickets- they gave thanks to a couple they never met...for it appears even Florida kids enjoy a Green Bay Packer Football Game!