Still Standing in the Purple Rain—Just With Less Hair and More Back Pain

 

Still Standing in the Purple Rain

Just With Less Hair and More Back Pain

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 27, 2025

Sorry I’m a day late with this week’s post. We had a little setback over the weekend when Grandma Linda wasn’t feeling right and ended up in the ER. She had to spend the night, but they took great care of her and she’s doing much better now. If the worst thing that came out of it was my blog post being delayed, I’ll take that trade every time.

Back in the mid-eighties, I used to cruise the streets of Clear Lake, Iowa, in my green Chevy Nova, windows down and a Prince cassette blaring through my not-so-fancy tape deck. Purple Rain was on constant rotation, and I belted out every lyric like I was auditioning for The Revolution. When I moved to the Twin Cities after college, I ended up living just twenty miles from Paisley Park—basically a dream for a die-hard fan like me. So when I heard Purple Rain was hitting the stage at the State Theatre before heading to Broadway, I jumped at the chance to grab front-row seats and relive my teenage glory days.

I’m happy to report the show was a blast! The cast nailed their portrayals of Prince, Apollonia, Morris Day, and the rest of the wild crew that made the late-‘70s and early-‘80s Twin Cities music scene so iconic. Before the show started, the director came out and told us this version is still evolving, with tweaks being made every night since opening week. Miss Sheri and I absolutely loved it—every song hit like a time machine. I’d forgotten just how many tracks from Purple Rain still live rent-free in my head.

If I had one critique, it’s that the second act leaned a little heavy on Prince’s tortured-artist phase—lots of angst, troubled parents, and brooding introspection. Or maybe that was just me being cranky for staying out late on a school night. Either way, once the music kicked back in for the finale, we were right back to rocking in our seats. Miss Sheri said parts of it felt like a strip show—I told her I didn’t see any problem with that. All in all, I’d highly recommend Purple Rain to anyone who’s ever shouted, “Let’s Go Crazy!” or maybe just “Let’s Get Nuts!”

The week started on a rough note watching my Vikings get shredded by the Eagles. Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 28–22 win that didn’t feel quite that close. My Vikings may suck, but spending the afternoon with my son Luke made it all worth it. We might not have left the stadium with a win, but at least we both still have hope—and that’s what being a Vikings fan is all about… blind, beautiful, delusional hope.

We were actually at Purple Rain Thursday night while the Vikings were getting smoked 37–10 by the Chargers. I caught the first few series on my phone before the show started, then decided watching Prince was a much better use of my emotional energy than watching the purple and gold disappoint me again. Every buzz from my watch during the show just confirmed I’d made the right call. Maybe JJ McCarthy can save the season… or at least make watching this team hurt a little less.

Friday night we met up with Luke, Avery, and Abby for some “serious” golf swings at the new Launch Pad driving range outside Mystic Lake. We ate great food, drank better drinks, and launched balls straight into giant glowing targets like we actually knew what we were doing. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night—especially when nobody had to chase the balls afterward.

I actually made a couple of TikTok videos about this place right before and after it opened, and somehow they each pulled in nearly 250,000 views. Guess people really like golf—or maybe just watching other people embarrass themselves at it. I even mentioned my viral success to a few of the employees, half-expecting a free round or at least a complimentary Diet Coke. Sadly, no such luck. Still, it’s an awesome place—and I’d totally say that even if they had comped me.

Spending A Hard Day’s Night with Sir Paul

 

Spending A Hard Day’s Night with Sir Paul

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 19, 2025

It’s been a couple weeks since Avery and Abby’s wedding, and I’m still in catch-up mode. We grabbed dinner with Jeff, Cathy, and Robin before she flew back home to Hawaii. We saw everyone at the wedding, but that kind of whirlwind doesn’t leave much time to really talk. Sitting down with these three to share stories and laughs felt like the encore we didn’t know we needed.

We also took advantage of the unseasonably warm October weather and went out for a boat ride with Portia and Mike. The lake was calm, the sun was perfect, and Mike decided it was the ideal time for a swim. I admired his bravery from the safety of my seat — because nothing ruins a peaceful fall afternoon faster than hypothermia.

We also made it out to The Boardwalk in Shakopee with Tom and Kellie, which was a real treat since we always have such great conversations with them. The place was beautiful, the food was good, but the prices suggested they thought it was better than it actually was.

With the warmer weather hanging on, we’ve been trying to squeeze in as many hikes as we can before winter locks us in our igloos. The fall colors have been incredible—like God’s out here painting trees just to remind the rest of us how bad we are at art.

We went for a hike at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park in Brooklyn Park, where the trails follow the Mississippi River—America’s longest reminder that water always finds a way to get where it’s going, even if it takes a few million years. 

We checked out the new Treetop Trail, a raised boardwalk that winds through the trees and gives some great views of the river and wetlands. It’s what we came to see, and it was really cool—just not very long. It was also pretty packed, which I’m guessing comes with being new and close to the Cities. Still, for free entertainment, it was a solid return on investment.

Friday night I finally got to see Paul McCartney perform at U.S. Bank Stadium. The man’s been on stage since the 1950s, and somehow this was my first time catching him live. I guess I like to take my time with things—some people see legends in their twenties, I wait until they’re eligible for every senior discount imaginable. Better late than never, right?

I was there as a guest of Dan and Jackson, which made the night even better. The tickets were actually Jackson’s birthday gift, and he was supposed to go with his mom and dad, but when Jen had to head to Florida for a friend’s funeral, they invited me to tag along. I felt pretty honored to be the pinch-hitter for such an epic show—and we had an absolute blast.

I’ve been to U.S. Bank Stadium for a bunch of Vikings games, but this was my first concert there—and it completely changed the vibe. The place was electric. The sound was surprisingly crisp for a giant football dome, and the lasers and lights turned it into something straight out of a sci-fi movie. For once, nobody left disappointed in the fourth quarter.

I’m not a big concert guy, but I absolutely loved this one. There were a few songs I didn’t recognize, but most were classics I grew up hearing—and somehow still remembered every word to. The three of us sang along all night to Hey Jude, Helter Skelter, Let It Be, Get Back—hit after hit after hit. Paul went hard for three straight hours without so much as a break, and the guy’s eighty-three. I just hope I’ve got half that energy left when I hit that age. What a legend.

@toddswank Exploring the new Mississippi Gateway Regional Park — where river vibes meet treetop trails 🌿🚣‍♂️ From canopy walks to kayak rides, this place is built for stories. #mississippi #River #MinnesotaParks #TreetopTrails #hikingtrails ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank

Paul McCartney in Minneapolis. October 17, 2025

♬ original sound - Todd Swank

Avery & Abby’s Wedding: The Beginning of Happily Ever After

 

Avery & Abby’s Wedding: The Beginning of Happily Ever After

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 12, 2025

Last weekend was a whirlwind of joy, nerves, and enough logistics to make NASA blush. Months of planning all came together for Avery and Abby’s big day, and somehow, everything went off without a hitch—well, except for the one they intended. The ceremony was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the smiles were real. We couldn’t be happier to officially welcome Abby into our family. She’s been part of our lives for a while now, but hearing her last name officially become “Swank” still hit differently.

My sister Tracy and her husband Dave were the first to roll into town, which gave us a little breathing room to enjoy some family time before the real chaos began. We even managed to sneak in a dinner at Charlie’s on Prior Wednesday night with Avery and Abby. It was nice having a calm evening together before the big weekend kicked into full gear.

We were definitely nervous about the weather. You never know what October in Minnesota is going to throw at you—it could be sunshine, sleet, or a full-on snow globe situation. The forecast teased us with a little rain early in the week, but by some miracle, it turned into perfect summer weather. We even managed a family boat ride on Prior Lake a couple of days before the ceremony, which might officially be the latest I’ve ever taken the boat out. I’m counting that as a wedding week miracle.

My other sister, Tammy, and her husband David made it to town on Friday, so we didn’t get quite as much hangout time with them beforehand. But maybe that made the time we did have together even better—we squeezed a lot of laughs and catching up into a short window, and it was great having them there to share such a special weekend.

We don’t get too many chances to have my mom and both of my sisters together in the same place these days, so this moment felt extra special. Whenever we do, it’s always filled with laughter, smiles, and that kind of easy joy that only comes from being with family. We really do have such good times together.

Miss Sheri’s brother and our niece Karli also joined us for the ceremony, which meant a lot. It’s always special when family makes the effort to travel and be part of a big day like this. We were so glad they could make the journey to celebrate with us and share in all the happiness.

At the rehearsal dinner, we had the chance to bring our family together with Abby’s, including her parents, Andrew and Andrea. We’d met them before, but this was the first time the rest of our crew got to connect. It turned out to be a marvelous evening where everyone genuinely seemed to get along—no small miracle considering how many Swanks were in one room. The food was great, the conversation flowed, and best of all, nobody brought up politics.

Unfortunately, not all of Luke and Avery’s cousins could make it to the wedding, but the ones who did showed up ready to represent the whole crew. And represent they did. By the end of the night, it felt like they’d packed a weekend’s worth of energy into a few hours. Let’s just say if laughter, dancing, and photo-bombing were Olympic events, this group would’ve brought home the gold for the family.

Soon enough, the big day arrived. One of my favorite parts was getting to spend most of it with my boys, Luke and Avery. The father of the groom doesn’t usually have a starring role in the ceremony, but I didn’t mind one bit. I got to hang out with Avery and his groomsmen while they got ready, and it was a blast watching Luke step up as best man. Seeing those two together in tuxes was one of those proud dad moments I won’t forget.

We got to sit down last before the wedding party made their entrance, so while we were waiting for the groom to arrive, I figured—why not make the most of the moment? I turned around and asked all our friends and family to pose for a quick picture. They nailed it. Everyone smiled, nobody blinked, and it turned out to be one of my favorite photos of the day.

It was a beautiful ceremony officiated by Abby’s Uncle Mike, and he did an incredible job capturing what makes marriage so meaningful. Watching Avery and Abby stand there in front of everyone they love, promising forever, was one of those moments that hits you right in the heart. It reminded me that real love isn’t just about finding the right person—it’s about choosing each other, every day, no matter what life throws your way.

Soon enough, we were back inside and ready for the reception. My family tends to get a little rowdy once the music starts and the drinks start flowing. Luckily, it turned into the perfect mix of laughter, dancing, and harmless chaos—the kind that reminds you why family gatherings are both exhausting and absolutely worth it.

Before the drinks and dancing got underway, Miss Sheri and I took the mic to give our speeches about how much we love Avery and how thrilled we are that he found Abby. We spent a lot of time debating our approach—Sheri leans toward heartfelt and emotional, while I tend to prefer something closer to a Netflix comedy special. In the end, we went with her plan… though I may have slipped in a few attempts at humor just to keep people from completely dissolving into tears. I think we struck a good balance—she made them cry, and I made them question why we were given a microphone in the first place.

I was really impressed with how well Avery and Abby planned the day and how smoothly they handled everything from start to finish. They worked together like they’d been doing this marriage thing for years already—every detail, every tradition, every little moment felt effortless. They managed to pull off the perfect balance between heartfelt and fun, and honestly, I don’t think it could have gone any better if we’d hired a Hollywood production crew.

Avery and Abby wanted to keep things small and personal, which made the day feel even more special. We were so grateful for the friends who were able to join us—every familiar face added to the warmth in the room. It was a beautiful celebration filled with laughter, love, and the kind of moments we’ll all remember for a long time.

We had a really nice mix of family, old friends, and friends of Luke and Avery’s from high school and college. It was great seeing so many familiar faces all in one place—each one tied to a different chapter of our lives. Weddings have a funny way of reminding you how many good memories you’ve collected along the way… and how lucky you are to still be adding new ones.

There’s something special about celebrating a big life moment surrounded by friends who’ve been part of your story along the way. Nights like this remind you that happiness isn’t just about the occasion—it’s about the people who show up to share it with you. Lots of laughter, plenty of smiles, and one more reminder that life’s best moments are even better when you don’t have to enjoy them alone.

We had friends and family travel both short and long distances to join us for Avery and Abby’s special day. Some came from Iowa, Texas, Georgia, Florida—even as far as Hawaii and London, England. It was incredible to look around and see how much love surrounded Avery and Abby. Moments like this remind us just how blessed we are to have such amazing people in our lives—and how joyful it is to watch Avery and Abby begin their journey together as husband and wife.

@toddswank I finally got access to Sora 2… and obviously the first thing I did was paint a Vikings logo on Lambeau Field. 😈 This AI is getting way too real. CRAZY! #Sora2 #GreenBay #minnesota #vikings #Skol ♬ Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

@toddswank Launchpad Golf is Now Open! #golf #drivingrange #greatfood #twincities #launchpad ♬ original sound - Todd Swank