my trip to see daniel!
November 11, 2007

I was supposed to type ALL of this up earlier, but somehow I lost track. Now that I need break from homework I will fill you in…

Ok, here is the lowdown on all the dragged out details



Friday morning I woke up around 4am. I really couldn't sleep at all. I tossed and turned, and by 4am, i was about done with the stupid sleeping. I had to turn in a paper Friday morning in Allendale, so around 730, I went out to start my truck and make the 40 minute drive (there and back) to turn it in. Too bad there was a thick frost and I dont have windshield wiping fluid OR a scraper.,. so I tried to use my shoe and scrape it off, which didn’t work.. but then I realized I had a jug of water in the back—so I splashed that on the windshield and waited about 15 minutes, and it was all good to go.

After I got back from Allendale, I took my suitcase out and then sat in my apartment until around 915, which then I woke Kaela up and told her I was ready. We got to the airport around 950ish, at this point I was going freaking insane. I was so scared.. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I walked in, and I was pretty surprised that there were about 3 other people in the airport with me (that’s grand rapids for ya). I went straight to the Delta desk and just said, “I have no idea what the heck I am doing-ive never flown before.” The lady was really nice about it. As she printed off my boarding passes and explained everything I needed to do. I went straight through security (no waiting there either) and went to my gate. I was really early, so I just sat there and read my book.

When I boarded the plane, I was pretty shocked to see how small it was. It was about 16 rows of 2.. and I was squished. I sat next to a guy who was presumably going to a conference of some sort with some other people because they all had briefcases and were talking about a presentation. I looked out the window until we were told that we were about to take off. The stewardess (there was 1), began to show us how to use our oxygen masks and how to use our seats as floatation devices, and I about puked. Lol. I looked at the guy next to me with my colorless face and said, “ive never flown before”. At that moment, there were about 5 people who started talking to me. They all started explaining what was happening with the airplane; when the wheels came off the ground, when we were leveling out, etc. It was REALLY helpful.

The flight was really short. Once I landed in Ohio I had to jump on a shuttle to my next terminal. I would have been completely lost if it wasn’t for a sweet old man who took me there. I grabbed lunch and called everyone on my phone tree to tell them I made it there safely. A couple hours later I was on my plane to Connecticut. This plane SUCKED.
I ended up with a bloody nose, I sat next to Borat’s friend.. and I lost all hearing as we were descending. My phone died as I got off the plane, so trying to let Daniel know where I was ended up being the most difficult thing of the whole trip. He ended up just driving around the airport flashing his headlights.. and I have to tell you when I saw the lights flashing-my heart dropped. He pulled over and I ran into his arms. All this waiting the past couple months seemed so worth it.

He had already checked into the hotel for me (since the only people who can make reservations are military personnel.) That night we ended up just getting dinner and watching tv.
The next day we went to Mystic, CT and ate at Mystic Pizza. The hurricane had brought in a lot of crazy wind and rain-so that was interesting. We went into a lot of the little shops that they had on the side. One shop was filled with all these little trinkets, and they even had this ADORABLE fairy pendant for a necklace. It was so cute! One shop was filled with all kinds of candy, that is where I got a chocolate/caramel turtle, and Daniel got a huge peanut butter cup.

Later that night we got dressed up and went out to dinner and I met some of his friends. It was awesome just to have Daniel by my side. We ended the night by watching movies and eating the rest of the pizza we had bought earlier.

Sunday sucked. After a little confusion about the time (daylight savings that is), we checked out of the hotel an hour early and got breakfast. Afterward we went to the Sub museum where there were tons of sub stuff and went on a sub! It was so small. I couldn’t believe it. There was barely any room to even move your arms in the hallway. It also felt like a huge puzzle.

When we went back to the airport to drop me off, Daniel parked the car and we walked in. Luckily we were about 15 minutes early because otherwise I don’t know if I would have been ok. I just bawled. I cried like a baby. I felt so pathetic since I know I will see him at Christmas.. but it was just the thought that after he comes home for Christmas, I don’t know when the next time will be. I finally just looked at him and said “I have to go”…and I hugged and kissed him, and went through security. I didn’t look back until I got through and I made my way to my gate.

I really don’t remember the way home because I just kept thinking about how amazing our weekend was. It just reminded me why we do this, why we stick together. I love that kid so much. I cant wait for him to come home!