To listen to yesterday’s live podcast at Garage Logic, when we were invited as guests, please click the above link entitled, “6/3 The traveling Lymans live in studio today.”
To listen to the four-year-old podcast, please click here.
It could not have felt more familiar or more joyful than yesterday, when we walked back into the podcast recording studio to appear once again as guests on the widely loved Garage Logic podcast, broadcasting from the KSTP TV studios in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Four years had somehow slipped by since our last visit, and yet the moment we stepped inside, it felt as though no time had passed at all.
With road construction weaving through the city like an unpredictable maze, we chose to leave earlier than necessary, not wanting to risk being late for the 11:45 arrival before the noon start. There is something comforting about arriving early, about sitting for a moment and taking it all in before the energy of a live show begins. The studio, with its quiet hum before airtime, held that familiar sense of anticipation.
Joe and the crew greeted us in a way that only genuine people can. There were enthusiastic handshakes, warm hugs, and wide smiles that made us feel not just welcome, but truly remembered. It is a rare and special thing to return to a place after several years and be received with such openness. In that moment, any lingering nervousness simply faded away.
Sitting down in the studio again brought back a flood of memories from our last appearance. Back then, we had come with a different set of experiences, a different chapter of life behind us. Now, after years of travel, unexpected detours, and recent health challenges, we carried new stories, new reflections, and perhaps a deeper appreciation for simply being present.
We had come prepared, of course. Notes were tucked neatly away, ideas we thought we might share, points we believed we should remember. But as the conversation began, those notes stayed exactly where they were. Joe has a remarkable gift as an interviewer. His questions are thoughtful and engaging, unfolding naturally in a way that invites conversation rather than performance. One question led to another, each one opening the door to stories we had not even planned to tell.
The pace of the conversation felt effortless. It moved along with an ease that made time slip by unnoticed. The rest of the crew joined in seamlessly, adding their own questions and perspectives, creating a lively and welcoming exchange. There was laughter, reflection, and that comfortable sense of being part of something shared rather than something staged.
For a brief moment, we allowed ourselves to feel something we rarely claim. The way they welcomed us back, the genuine interest in our journey, and the kindness in their responses made us feel, in the most humble sense, like we mattered in that space. Not in a grand or exaggerated way, but in a simple, human way that felt deeply meaningful.
As the hour came to an end, it was hard to believe how quickly it had passed. What began as a scheduled appearance turned into an experience that felt both grounding and uplifting. Walking out of the studio, we carried with us not just the memory of the conversation, but the warmth of reconnecting with people who create something special every single day.
It is moments like these that stay with you. Not because of any spotlight, but because of the connection, the storytelling, and the shared laughter that remind us why these experiences matter so much.
We truly could not have enjoyed it more.
With only five days remaining until we depart for South Africa, we are holding these meaningful moments with family close, knowing how quickly this time will pass. Each day feels full in a way that is both comforting and a little bittersweet.
Last night, we gathered with Greg, Heather, Miles, and Madighan for dinner at Pizza Luce in Eden Prairie. Sitting together, sharing a meal and easy conversation, reminded me how much I treasure these simple times. There is something about being around family that settles you, even when so much lies ahead.
Tonight, we will meet Tammy and Vincent, along with TJ, Sarah, and Jayden, at Texas Roadhouse. It will be the first time we have all been together, which makes it feel especially meaningful. we look forward to the laughter, the catching up, and the feeling of everyone in one place.
On Friday, we will head to Billy’s Bar and Grill to spend time with Tom’s siblings and other family members. Then Saturday morning brings Heather’s daughter Megan’s graduation party, another moment to celebrate and reflect on how quickly life moves forward.
Sunday will be quieter but just as special when my dear friend Chere stops by our hotel. We will sit together in the dining room and talk as if no time has passed, picking up right where we always do.
Before long, it will be time to leave. Two days later, on Thursday, we will arrive in Marloth Park, stepping into our next adventure while carrying all of these moments with us. The packing has begun.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, June 4, 2016:
