I feel very lucky to live in St. Paul. Not only are the houses old and full of character, but there are pockets of community everywhere. Community is something I’ve always experienced in church, in college, or even in my workplace, but in the past few years I’ve longed to experience it in my neighborhood as well. It’s readily abundant here, not just in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood, but all over St. Paul. Here are a few examples just from this weekend:
- Friday night we had dinner at a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, in the Frogtown neighborhood just down the street from our house. There was such a beautiful mix of people there: Vietnamese families, white hipsters, a grandmother and granddaughter. There was a true sense of community here (not to mention incredible banh mi sandwiches!), and we’ll definitely go back.
- Saturday, I had coffee with a friend at Brewberry’s in the Highland Park neighborhood. Pasted on one wall were photos of babies whose parents frequent the shop; on another wall weredogs that stop by too. It was clear this shop existed to serve its immediate community (I just hope the Caribou across the street doesn’t run it out of business someday). As I drove home I passed through a half-dozen intersections with little shops on all four corners – salons, stationery stores, bakeries, dry cleaners. I love that these businesses are set into the neighborhoods they serve.
- Just today, we stopped at Mississippi Market in the Selby-Dale neighborhood to stock up on some organic essentials (I had a mild freak-out last night about how much junk I put into my body). Here’s yet another community of people coming together under a common cause – whole, organic food.
In my mind, the “country life” means being an active part of your local community. Knowing your neighbors, serving local causes, celebrating milestones in the life of the community. Americans tend to be such private people – I’m guilty of this too – but I think being a part of true community means not only opening up your heart, but your front door as well.
We’re excited to explore our new community as the weather gets warmer this spring – there’s a Turkish restaurant just a few blocks away, a great library, several Asian restaurants and a lovely little drug store. In the meantime, I’m excited to continue to get to know St. Paul’s many, many pockets of community.
