And so I am in California...

And I thought I wouldn't be writing any more traveling posts for a while  Well, as it turns out I must be crazy and I decided to do it again.  With both boys.  By myself.  International flight.  Why don't we back up a bit, it's kinda a cool story...

So it's Tuesday evening in France which is Tuesday morning in LA.  I decided to call my dear, dear cousin to wish her well on her wedding this weekend.  This is kind of a bittersweet situation because I love her so much and cannot wait for her to marry her man.  And yet on the flip side I am here in France and only get to see pictures when they are loaded on Facebook.  Talk about a bummer.

So as Marissa and I are chatting, I texted my husband, "Oh, man. I really wish I could have gone to this wedding."  I think subconsciously I was hoping he would text me back saying, "There's still time, Babe. Let's get you a ticket!!" However, my husband, being the ever-so-practical man that he is texted back saying, "I told you we could have tried if you wanted to."  Past tense.  Dang it.  It looks like my chance has passed.  So I wished Marissa well trying to accurately express how much I wanted to be there without making her feel bad that I wasn't.  I think she was doing the same thing.

I hung up the phone and tried to get a hold of myself.  I have a very large, very close-knit family and it physically hurts when I have to miss important things like weddings and babies being born.  (I missed my niece being born a few weeks ago.)  However, I didn't want to express this emotion to my husband because, one, he already knows the way I feel.  There is no reason to rub it in.  And, two, I don't want him to feel bad that I didn't make it.  After all, it isn't his fault.

I walked out of our room where I was talking to Marissa and into the living room where he sat on his computer.  I plopped down next to him with a big sigh.  He already knew what I was feeling.  He repeated his text, "I told you we could have tried to go.  You wait until now to want to try?"

"No, we don't have to try.  I understand.  I waited too long and it's too expensive."  I picked up my computer thinking 'I am just gonna check if there are cheap flights.  What if by some bizarre chance we could do it?  Crazy, but worth a try.'  As I was picking it up I glanced over to Var's computer to see what he was doing.  Expedia.com.  What?  He was already checking flights for me!  Now I might have a husband who is adamantly against celebrating Valentine's Day and rarely (if ever) brings home flowers, but that man loves me practically.  And I couldn't ask for a better way to be loved.

So we started our search.  We checked airline miles, Travelocity, Expedia, CheapTickets, Air France and for some reason Var checked out Lufthsana.  Now remember, this was Tuesday night.  I closed my eyes and said a little prayer.  Lord, if this is from you, make it a reasonable, doable price.  If not, please give me peace about not going and settle my heart.  

He found tickets for all three of us leaving Thursday (now just a day away) for about $1500.  Now, I don't know if you know much about international flights, but that is an incredible price.  While he was checking all the ins and outs of the ticket and confirming everything I was having a freak-out session via Twitter DM's with my dear friend Gina.  Honestly, I feel like God put here there to talk through things with me at that very specific point in time.  And it was a blessing.

the happy couple

So here I am.  In California.  Surrounded by friends and family and loved ones to celebrate my cousin's marriage and to rejuvenate my soul with the blessings that are these people to me.  God is so good and this is a gift from Him.  The wedding was a beautiful day and I can't wait to show you some pictures of the day.  As you can see, the bride was radiant and oh-so-happy to marry her man.

me and the bride

And, needless to say, Christie and I are going to have so much fun actually working together, like in person, getting ready for April re-launch!!  Oh, so much fun!

Have a great day and God bless!!