Patrick Furniture paints parking lot during special visit

Southeast Missourian

Mike Young didn't waste any fanfare for the recent visit from his Swedish host parents. But instead of a red carpet announcing their arrival, Young laid out a giant shamrock instead.

Young is assistant manager of Patrick Furniture in Cape Girar-deau and recently decided to repaint the parking lot shamrock during a visit from his Swedish friends Lars and Kristina Danielson.

The giant shamrock measures 30 feet by 30 feet and should last about three or four years before repainting is needed.

The shamrock was painted originally six years ago during a previous visit from the Danielsons.

"Knowing that Kristina and Lars were preparing for a visit caused me to postpone repainting the shamrock, which had been eliminated due to resurfacing," Young said.

"Lars wanted to help me. He even joked with customs and remarked about doing some painting while he was over here."

Ever since Young was an exchange student who stayed with the Danielsons in 1984 and 1985, the friends have kept in touch.

During the couple's recent visit, they stayed with Young's parents.

Young was an exchange student through Rotary International. He liked the visit so much that he spent a year at the University of Lund in Sweden.

In 1992, the Danielsons visited the states and attended Mike's wedding. The Youngs and Danielsons continue to maintain contact when they cannot visit in person.