Crossing Borders, Getting Closer — Our Windsor Weekend (March 21–23)

We drove from Allendale to Windsor, Canada, just the two of us. Nolan was taking me to his fraternity formal, and while it wasn’t my first time getting dressed up for an event like this, it was my first time crossing a border for it. He drove the whole way, and honestly, the moment we passed into Windsor, I expected it to feel… different. But it didn’t. The only thing that really stood out was the overwhelming number of ads everywhere — billboards lined the streets, especially near Caesar’s Palace, lighting up the skyline like we’d accidentally ended up in a movie set.

It was March 21st through 23rd — the perfect time for a quick little escape before everything picked up again with school, work, and cheer. We checked into our hotel downtown, where we were supposed to be sharing a room with another couple. But last minute, they bailed — or rather, she bailed, and he came anyway (more on that later). That twist actually worked in our favor. Having the space to ourselves made the weekend feel more peaceful — like we had a place to reset whenever the social stuff got loud. It was really nice to have that quiet with just us.

I had been preparing for this formal for over a month — picking out a dress, planning accessories, getting my nails and lashes done the week of. I wore a long-sleeved blue dress that hugged my upper body and flowed out with a leg slit I was obsessed with. It felt classic, flattering, and very me. I wanted to feel good in it — and I did.

The weekend itself was full of movement. We spent the first night wandering around Caesar’s Palace. I don’t have much interest in gambling, but I gave it a shot — twenty bucks in, five bucks back. Not exactly beginner’s luck, but it was worth the laugh. The boys were more into it, playing blackjack and craps well into the night while I floated around, just soaking it all in.

On Saturday, we went out to a club, and that was actually one of the highlights of the whole trip. Mira, one of the only other girlfriends I knew, and I stuck together most of the night — we danced on the platform right in front of the DJ booth, and at one point, they even gave Grand Valley a shoutout over the mic. It was unexpected and ridiculous and made the night that much better. Since it was also the tail end of March Madness, we’d been spending part of the weekend watching games in bars inside the casino, bouncing between dancing and yelling at TVs like seasoned sports fans (even though I barely knew who was playing).

At one point, Nolan and I took a short walk around downtown, just the two of us. It was freezing and we were both wildly underdressed, so we didn’t stay out long — but something about walking around unfamiliar streets with someone you care about just feels different. Even if it’s only for ten minutes, it sticks with you.

I’ve always been someone who hesitates with big social events. I’m not naturally drawn to loud crowds or staying out late. But Nolan makes it easier. He never pushes, but he encourages me to show up for experiences I’d normally avoid. This trip was proof that stepping out of my comfort zone can actually lead to something really good. We felt closer afterward — not just because we shared a room or dressed up for each other, but because we got to experience something new together. Even if it was just Windsor. Sunday morning came early — Nolan had work, and I was heading to Alma College for a cheer competition — so we packed up and drove back to Michigan, tired but happy.

Of course, no weekend like this is complete without a little drama. The guy who was supposed to room with us? Let’s just call him John. He showed up without his girlfriend, who stayed back but kept texting him weird things all night — cryptic posts, odd messages, and enough sketchy energy to raise red flags. I don’t remember the full middle-of-the-night moment clearly, but I do remember hearing him pack his stuff, and I woke Nolan up to go check on him. Turns out, John had taken the train system all the way back to Grand Rapids and caught the Laker Line home before most of us had even started our mornings. Total ghost moment.

Looking back, the weekend wasn’t anything wild or extravagant. It was simple: a dress, a formal, a few adventures, and a lot of little moments that added up to something memorable. I think that’s what made it matter. We didn’t need some huge, cinematic vacation. We just needed a few days together — just outside our normal lives, just far enough from home to feel brand new.