I was born in Chippewa Falls and grew up in Eau Claire, so I think that as a city dweller, I’m qualified to list some Eau Claire “must-haves” – the boxes you should check off if you’re visiting or living here. However, there’s one box that I’ve spent too long thinking about checking off, simply because I thought the chances of ever being able to do so were slim. I almost don’t want to say it out loud or write it down for fear of vicious eye-rolling or probing questions, but here it is: I met Justin Vernon.

Yes, I have been to several Eaux Claires festivals and spent the days of the pandemic crying horizontally to “Exile,” Taylor Swift’s song with Bon Iver on her 2020 album. Folklore, and years before that “Skinny Love”. Yes, I was at the listening party in the city center for 22, one million when that mural went up next to the State Theater to celebrate the album’s release. And yes, I have an older sister who loved Bon Iver “before it was cool” and really introduced me to the fandom.

So I literally checked off another box on my mental list of things that just define Eau Claire (which also includes “endure a traffic accident at one of the terrible intersections in the Oakwood Mall area,” “watch the Independence Day fireworks from the old Ship Shape car wash,” “complain about parking,” and “meet Judy Clark”). Oh, and he was very nice. And laughed at my jokes.