Milkweed & Monarchs

Some stories don’t just come from the past — they flutter back into our lives like monarchs returning home, carrying pieces of who we once were. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a memory that resurfaced at my 50‑year high school reunion, a story that began in first grade with a shy crush, a very smart boy named John, and a ring wrapped in aluminum foil that never quite made it into my hands. It’s a tale about childhood innocence, the way life loops back on itself, and how the smallest forgotten moments can suddenly shine again decades later. This one made me smile for days, and I think it might melt your heart a little too. Let’s go back—way back—to where it all started. Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction: 50th high school reunion(00:00:27) - First grade crush on John(00:03:39) - Seeing John walk home with Ginger - meltdown(00:05:06) - Growing up, military, and moving around the country(00:07:09) - 35th reunion reconnection with John(00:10:08) - Busy 40s: grad school, career, and adoption(00:12:33) - Pharmacology struggles and switching career path(00:14:52) - Reflecting on in vitro and life choices(00:16:13) - Planning the 50th reunion(00:17:45) - Reunion mingle night(00:19:01) - Nerves and friends at the reunion(00:20:38) - Main reunion night and reconnecting with John(00:22:02) - The ring story revealed(00:24:26) - Closing thoughts

Welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, and today I’m taking you on a trip straight into the heart of one of my favorite stories — our honeymoon. Now, if you know me, you already know I’m an outdoors girl through and through. So while most people picture tropical beaches and umbrella drinks, our honeymoon was something entirely different: rugged northern Maine, a golden retriever named Amber, a truck full of camping gear, and a husband who thought he was the seasoned outdoorsman. This episode is all about adventure — the kind that surprises you, challenges you, makes you laugh, and stays with you for decades. From the quiet beauty of Cobscook Bay to the candy‑striped lighthouse at Quoddy Head, from pitching a tent on a pristine Canadian beach to the hilariously frustrating hunt for a dog‑friendly hotel, this is the story of how our honeymoon became one of the most unforgettable chapters of our life together. And yes… it ends with a Christmas surprise that still makes me cry. Let’s dive in. Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction: An Outdoorsy Honeymoon(00:00:43) - Comparing Honeymoons: Craig and Don's Different Pasts(00:01:26) - Planning the Camping Trip to Northern Maine(00:02:21) - Cobscook Bay State Park(00:04:30) - Heading to Lubec, Maine's Easternmost Town(00:06:03) - Crossing to Campobello Island and Roosevelt's Home(00:08:14) - Camping on the Beach at Campobello(00:11:29) - Quoddy Head Lighthouse and Nature Trails(00:12:59) - The Search for a Hotel That Allows Dogs(00:15:36) - Frustration Through Camden and Beyond(00:17:15) - Moody's Diner Celebration Dinner(00:18:26) - Wanting a Keepsake and Feeling Disappointed(00:20:04) - Reflecting on Being Spoiled and Heading Home(00:21:24) - Moving Back to Michigan and Missing Maine(00:22:08) - The Christmas Surprise: A Lighthouse Painting(00:25:12) - Closing Thoughts

Some stories ask to be told only once, and some insist on being revisited so we can finally lay them down. This episode is one of those. It’s painful, honest, and necessary—not because it is the last chapter, but because the remaining chapters belong together in a different kind of light. Today, I’m returning to the story of my adopted daughters, a story that shaped me, stretched me, and ultimately taught me what it means to love someone enough to let them go. This isn’t an easy episode. It carries heartbreak, bewilderment, and the long, slow work of acceptance. But it also carries relief, clarity, and the quiet strength that comes from choosing peace over longing. If you’ve ever loved someone who drifted away, if you’ve ever tried to hold together a family that was unraveling, or if you’ve ever had to release a relationship for your own well‑being, I hope you’ll find something here that speaks to you. This episode is part of a grouping of final reflections—stories that don’t end neatly, but end truthfully. Let’s begin. Chapters (00:00:01) - I Had To Give Up My Adopted Daughter(00:09:01) - What They Wish They Knew About Parenting(00:18:44) - How To Be Bossy With Your Childs(00:26:38) - Let the Toxic Person Go

Hi friends, it’s Dawn Klem, and welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs. Today’s episode is pure sunshine — a story about a little cockatiel named Elvis who brought joy, music, and a whole lot of laughter into our home. He wasn’t just a bird; he was a traveler, a singer, a companion, and a tiny feathered reminder that love shows up in the most unexpected ways. So settle in, take a breath, and let your heart open wide. This is the story of Elvis — the happiest, loudest, most determined little bird who ever fluttered through my life. Chapters (00:00:00) - The Story of Elvis the Canary(00:06:59) - A Bird's Journey from Maine to Michigan(00:13:20) - My Mother's Love for a Bird(00:20:04) - Birds Keep Coming to My Front Door

Hello friends, and welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, returning to the microphone this month while my book makes its way toward publication. Today I’m sharing a story that sits right at the intersection of love, personality, and the tiny quirks that shape a marriage. It’s about the early days with my husband Craig—an engineer whose world is built on precision—and me, a nurse whose world is built on people, improvising, and getting things done. From unfinished rooms to a deck that nearly broke all of us, this episode is a reminder that marriage isn’t about being the same. It’s about learning how to live side by side, even when one of you is measuring boards and the other is saying, “Just hammer it in already.” I’m so glad you’re here. Chapters (00:00:00) - What Is The Difference Between A Type A and A Normal Person?(00:07:37) - The Deck Was Completely Done My Dad(00:13:06) - When You're Fired from Painting Your Wedding Room(00:15:28) - I Had The Worst Day Of My Life