We've Moved to the Midwest!

Catch up on the Deans at our new blog location: http://minnesotadeans.blogspot.com/

See you there!

#1. Our Friends

Finally. The long-awaited completion of "Jay and Karen's Top 20 Things We Miss About Los Angeles" post. Drum roll, please. (insert drum roll)...

Number One: OUR FRIENDS!

With each day that passes, it becomes more obvious that Karen, Lucas and I will be firmly entrenched in this strange Midwestern land for the foreseeable future. For example, we just bought a house, we have new license plates, went to the Minnesota State Fair, and corn on the cob seems to be part of every meal. All of this is new and all of this is good. We are excited about this new phase of our lives and it's been amazing to be surrounded by family, especially for Lucas who is obsessed with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The toughest thing about being here so far is being away from our friends back "home" in L.A.

We know that we will start to build new friendships out here, but it takes time. We had a decade out West to accumulate the greatest, most supportive, fun-loving, creative (and on and on and on...) true friends anyone could ask for. It's not like they have suddenly disappeared into the mist - we know we can visit them and they can visit us (seriously. you can visit us, really. It doesn't have to be in February), but it's sad to think they are not around the corner.

This post is a tribute. A tribute to our Los Angeles friends. Note: the pictures below, as a collection, represent our many friendships, but not everyone is included. Do not be offended if you do not find yourself in these images. You are still a friend.

 

Twenty photos in one post is not enough. There could be 40 more for the many friends not pictured here. We love you, L.A. friends. Our future friends in Minnesota have some huge shoes to fill. hope to see you soon. 

Love, Jay, Karen and Lucas

#2. The Erlichs

Karen, Lucas and Dara.

It is rare that you come across a family like the Erlichs. Dara has been my best friend since like 30 seconds after we met, and her family has been my family ever since. It is hard to imagine that 9 years ago I traveled out to LA on my own, away from my family, with no job and no idea what I was doing. One year earlier, I think Jay was in the same situation! We both wanted new experiences. I sometimes wonder what would have happened to me if the Erlichs didn’t take me in? They were what I needed in my new LA life…a really strong family who liked being together. I was invited over for homemade meals and holidays, they wanted to know about my family and friends in Minnesota, they talked to me about grad school and work and Jay and Lucas. They are a family who always had a watchful eye on me and my well-being. The great thing about them is when your in…you in! Jay even felt this during his interviewing process with Blake. Toni (Dara’s mom) would be emailing and leaving messages with her best thoughts and wishes! The Erlich family has been the Dean’s biggest champions! Lucas is so lucky to have 3 families that love him so much! Rueben, Toni, Dara, Darren, Ross, Remy and Cooper…you are all missed and appreciated and loved dearly!

(top to bottom, left to right): Remy, Toni, Rueben and Dara at lunch; Karen, Toni and Dara on Mothers Day; The Marbles: Darren, Dara and Remy; Lucas and Remy posing together on Mothers Day

We'll miss you, too, Cooper Marble!

#3. Elvira

Elvira has been gift to our family. She has watched Lucas in the babyroom since he was just over 4 months old. She is loving, kind, conscientious, and is a real partner in helping raise Lucas. She is interested in his development and has always gone above and beyond her responsibilities with him. We feel so lucky to have had her in our lives and in Lucas’. She is a natural and it will be very hard to find someone who is as natural as she is with all kids, but especially Lucas. I only wish we could have packed her up with us and brought her with us to Minnesota.

#4. The Baby Room

Then...

...and Now

Are you kidding me? I get to bring my baby to work with me? One of the greatest perks of being a teacher at the Willows has been access to the baby room where Lucas got to spend his days with his friends: Phoebe, Braydon, and Morgan(all of who are children to other teacher friends). Of course there are downsides to having your baby on campus(like when you see the light on in the room, knowing your kids is supposed to be napping), but all in all, I feel like the luckiest mom ever having had the opportunity to see Lucas throughout the day, everyday, while still having the chance to work doing something I love. It was the perfect set-up. I never had to be too far away and I never had to experience the anxiety I imagine most moms endure when they go back to work after maternity leave. I got to see him out on the yard, check in on him at lunchtime and essentially get to enjoy watching him have fun during the day. Lucas thrived at school. Not only did Lucas get to develop his social skills with the other babies, but he also had the unique opportunity of being around school-aged kids who interacted and played with the babies. It always made me smile to walk around the corner and see a fifth grade or a third grader playing peek-a-boo with him or having a group of second graders doing a dance performance to the babies. Lucas visited all the classrooms, enjoyed the after school classes where he got to play with farm animals and watch basketball games, and the 4^th grade students even threw Lucas a surprise 1^st birthday party. The best feeling leaving work everyday was when Lucas and I would pack up his things, walk outside, and have students of all ages run up to us to say goodbye to Lucas. They’d say, “Bye Lucas, see you tomorrow!” Now that’s a family and a really good example of community. More companies should figure this out, because it certainly makes working moms and dads more satisfied!

#6/#5. Crossroads/Willows

Who knew we would both stumble across amazing school communities during our time out West? Crossroads and the Willows were more than jobs for us – we came away with amazing work experiences, but more importantly, we made lifelong friendships there. Thanks to Crossroads for providing us with some of the best “date nights” of the early days of our relationship: bar and bat mitzvahs! Who can forget the many Alley Parties, “book club,” and the Channel Islands Trip? Jay would like to thank his friends and colleagues for consistently inspiring him to be a better educator. Thanks to the Willows for showing Karen how teaching should be done and allowing her to grow professionally by watching so many talented young teachers with unique styles and be part of a community where students’ voices are heard and their uniqueness embraced (by the way, there’ll be more about the Willows in a future post). Crossroads and the Willows are examples of schools we wish we had attended when we were young.

#7. The Weather

Though it’s a bit obvious, we had to include this on our list. Come February, we might regret not placing this in the #1 spot. Goodbye sunshine, hello seasons!