Tell me of that Treasure State
Story always new,
Tell of its beauties grand
And its hearts so true.
Mountains of sunset fire
The land I love the best
Let me grasp the hand of one
From out the golden West.

Montana, Montana,
Glory of the West
Of all the states from coast to coast,
You're easily the best.
Montana, Montana,
Where skies are always blue
M-O-N-T-A-N-A,
Montana, I love you.

Each country has its flow'r;
Each one plays a part,
Each bloom brings a longing hope
To some lonely heart.
Bitter Root to me is dear
Growing in my land
Sing then that glorious air
The one I understand.

Montana, Montana,
Glory of the West
Of all the states from coast to coast,
You're easily the best.
Montana, Montana,
Where skies are always blue
M-O-N-T-A-N-A,
Montana, I love you.

Montana, what a wonderful, tranquil, serene place. A place where the seasons are distinct, bold and beautiful, a place where I grew up, a place I long to be again.

I’m not sure what it is about Montana, Whitefish in particular, I often romanticize my time living there. I use to assume it was because in the Marines you miss home, you think about it a lot especially on deployment or extended training. It was the one constant in my life for such a long period of time; I thought I clung to it for normalcy and familiarity. Then there was college and the Marines again, then professional career and family life; all the while still remembering Montana as the “last best place” wanting to find a way to return for good.

Shortly before this trip I came to understand that, most likely, the small little sleepy town I remembered with the pristine lakes and immense mountains would have changed. For the better or the worse was to be determined but I was sure things would be different in ways I wouldn’t care for, after all it was perfect when I lived there; why change a thing?

Well, I was right, the town had changed a lot; but it didn’t leave me feeling sad or upset. I loved exploring the area, playing tourist, with my family. I loved taking the kids to the Bulldog Saloon, where I once worked; taking them do Whitefish Lake, Big Mountain, Glacier Park, and my Grandparents house (now great Grandpa and Grandma).

They all loved it-

Madeline and Harper stuck side by side through the whole trip, more like sisters than cousins. They played Barbies, dress up, played at Woodland Water Park, played at Great Grandpa and Grandmas, played and Grandma Terri and papa Monte’s. They were nonstop, and so cute to see. Madeline was really in her element at Great Grandma and Grandmas, catching fish in their pond with her bare hands, running barefoot everywhere and spending every possible second outside.

Evan instantly clung to Papa Monte and later to Great Grandma, that little boy’s soul is so sweet when he finds another just like him it’s a perfect fit. He’s not shy or timid; he just hugs them and lays his little head on their shoulder showing all of his love with his little embrace. He too liked running around barefoot, often times in just a diaper, playing in the water, sand and all things in-between.

The attractions and scenery were great, food was awesome, and all of the huckleberry treats were amazing. But, I think there is one place that we all, , enjoyed the most; (Great) Grandpa and Grandma’s house. Their place is new, built on a lot adjacent to the place I remember stopping in for after school snacks and mowing the yard. Even through it’s a new house there are decorations and other things that remind me of their old place and all the memories I made there. The huge Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas dinner of steak and lobster, family birthdays, playing with my younger cousins, building tree forts, and riding the tractor and 4 wheeler; such picture perfect memories, almost out of a movie. But, more important than the things and activities my memories of my grandparents stick out. My Grandma’s soft gentle nature, always quick to hug you and tell you she loves you, my Grandpa’s work ethic always building something or fixing something. Greatest of all is them together, so loving and considerate for each other. Shoot, my Grandpa would fill up my Grandmas car with gas when it was low instead of her doing it; in fact I have never seen my grandma pump gas. My Grandma would always fix grandpa a snack and cold drink while he was working on something, or even if he wasn’t lol. Today they are just the same but with a little more spunk, they joke and tease each other a bit, all in good humor with big smiles, they are affectionate, compassionate and loving. All in ways I’ve never seen before, in ways that motivates and inspires me to be a better Husband and Dad. In ways that push me to be more compassionate, speak more from my heart, to be quick with kindness and patients in all things I do.

Maybe my love of Montana isn’t all about the scenery and slower pace; maybe it’s about learning what can be, or more accurately HOW to be.

I miss home and everyone already, we all can’t wait to come back