My name is Ellie. This blog is telling my story as it happens. I’m on a mission to reclaim my hope in humanity, my happiness and to discover my new life.

On October 13, 2016, I found out my husband was having an affair with a coworker that preceded our 5 1/2 year marriage. I told him I wanted healing, restoration, redemption and wholeness in this marriage. I told him that I wanted to be with him and that I was willing to work hard to make our marriage into the one I thought we had. He told me he didn’t love me, that he loves this other woman and that he doesn’t want to be married. Long story short, I began the divorce process; I took our 9 year old greyhound and moved back in with my parents.

I’m now on a mission of reclaiming my life. I got so sick and tired of avoiding things –  restaurants we’d go together, music we’d listen to, and even people. I started taking steps to reclaim old memories. I began going to bars with my friends that I used to frequent with him. My friends and I would laugh, sometimes cry, but always enjoy our time while also acknowledging the memories that lived there. Then, I would declare that location “Reclaimed”! I can now look at that old bar with new memories.

This is my goal: not to forget the past, but to reclaim it! I don’t regret my marriage because it was real to me. I loved my husband well and now I want to let it go in the best way I can.

The List:

  • Hard Times
  • Saint Marks Theatre
  • New York City
    • Waldorf
    • Serendipity
    • Jazz
  • Skydiving
  • South Africa
    • Game drive
    • Stellenbosch
  • WA Frost
  • 612 Brew
  • Prohibition
  • John Denver Music (Reclaimed 3/7/17 with Bethany singing Karaoke at Grumpy’s. I sang Annie’s Song)
  • Ward 6
  • 5-8 Tavern
  • Neumann’s
  • Happy Gnome (Reclaimed 12/?/16 with Bethany and Joe)
  • St. Paul Hotel Saturday Night Jazz
  • Meritage Escargot
  • Pazzeluna
  • Mickey’s Diner late at night
  • Science Museum
  • Walk around Rice Park
  • Half Marathon
  • Dakota Jazz Club
  • Artist Quarter
  • Cook Diner after a long run
  • Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (Reclaimed 11/13/16 with Bethany)
  • Brits Pub Movie
  • Kentucky Derby
  • Great Waters Brewery
  • Twin’s Game
  • Gopher Hockey
  • Green Mill
  • Tamarack Tap Room
  • Chicago, IL
    • Andy’s Record Store
    • Eat steak tar tar
    • Jazz
  • Kona, HI (Reclaimed 2/25/17-3/3/17 with my parents and brothers)
    • Beading necklaces for my best friends
  • Grandma’s Restaurant in Duluth
  • Black Sheep Pizza
  • Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter
  • Gasthof Octoberfest Celebration
  • Mancini’s
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Remer, MN
  • South St. Paul
  • Road Trips
  • Minneapolis Train Bridge where he proposed to me
  • Obento-Ya Japanese Bistro
  • Marvel Bar
  • Bruentrupt Farm
  • St. Paul Cathedral Mass
  • Bridge in St. Paul where we’d watch sunrise
  • Wicked the Musical
  • Pizza Farm in Pepin, WI
  • The Olympics
  • Hookah Bar
  • Nose Ring (Reclaimed 3/4/17 with Kristen and Evan in Kailua, HI. I threw the nose ring he gave me into the ocean)
  • Swimming in cold water after a hard run (Reclaimed 3/4/17 with Kristen in Kailua, HI)
  • Gateway trail bike ride to Stillwater
  • London
  • Vikings game
  • Cossetta’s Rooftop Bar
  • Smoke a cigarette when it’s warm outside
  • Scary Movie
  • Goblin in the Attic
  • Finding Dory
  • Last Ship (Reclaimed on Hawaii trip 2/25/17-3/ 6/17)
  • Finding Neverland (Reclaimed 2/21/17 with Bethany and Tom)
  • Book of Mormon
  • Chicago the Musical
  • War Horse
  • Catch Me If You Can
  • Grease
  • Sweeney Todd
  • Bright Star (Reclaimed on Hawaii trip 2/25/17-3/6/17)
  • Jet Ski
  • Kayaking
  • Ginger Ale on an airplane (Reclaimed 3/7/17)
  • Cat Stevens
  • Beach Boys
  • Coldplay Concert
  • Lake Street Dive
  • Bonfires
  • Smoke a pipe during a bonfire
  • JD McPherson
  • Drive a Stick
  • Drive-In Movie
  • March Madness
  • Chino Latino
  • Barley Johns
  • Door County, WI
  • Trivia
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