Pretzel Jell-O Salad? Is that for real? (16)

Apparently I am an outcast for having never heard of or eaten Pretzel Jell-O Salad. Who knew? I'm convinced that it is just an Idaho thing. I was sitting in my Writing 150 class right before Thanksgiving Break and Sister Steadman began raving about her favorite Thanksgiving Dish. She described a perfect pretzel crust- a crust that couldn't be over cooked and crunchy, otherwise it would crumble when cut. Not only that though, it couldn't be too moist, otherwise it would be a soggy mess and who wants to eat moist pretzels with cream cheese and whipped cream? The Jell-O of course has to be raspberry and in order for it to be pass the test, 1can of Kroger brand crushed pineapple must be mixed in as well. The description seemed so odd to me, I was convinced Sister Steadman was joking. Her facial expression suggested otherwise, as she looked longingly into the distance imagining what it would look and taste like the next day. My suspicions were confirmed when the most honest girl in the class, Cassidy, jumped on the band wagon, immediately concurring with Sister Steadman, only adding a few more juicy details.  I sat there in confusion as other students, one by one, all owned up to have having eaten the strange sounding dessert. I started to feel like the odd man out, the outcast, only adding to the predetermined feeling that I am no freshman. The conversation started to turn into a "let's convince Courtney that we are normal and that this dessert is something great"

Thanksgiving Dinner with my sisters and cousins
(my pretzel Jell-O slab is hiding behind the water pitcher)

I felt like 1 against a hundred, already having surrendured the fight before it started. I was only told how great it tasted and there was nothing like it and one day I would have to try it. In my mind, I thought, "Ya, we'll see about that." Fast forward to the next night, the night before Thanksgiving. My mom was talking to my sister-in-law Annie and she said," Do you want me to start blending the pretzels for the crust for the dessert?" I stopped dead in my tracks, made a 180 and headed back into the kitchen. I watched as my mom and Annie started pulling out Jell-O packets, cream cheese, pretzels, pineapple.... I knew before they could tell me. I felt a sort of weird excitement to try the new dessert, but also a feeling of defeat, as I realized this pretzel Jell-O dessert wasn't just for the people up north who didn't use cookbooks. I watched as the ingredients were transformed into a nice normal looking final product. I grabbed myself a bowl and slowly tested my taste buds against the new unfamiliar taste and texture. I was very much impressed with the mix of sweet and salty that I experienced and would not be opposed to having it again.