2 Years

Two years ago today I left for a vacation that changed my life.  Cody and I took a two week vacation to Dallas, TX.  I wanted to desperately meet his dad's side of the family and of course just get away.  I had been planning this trip for months.  Completely unsure of how it would all pan out.  I was so scared that his parents would hate me and I would have to stay in a hotel room.  As you all know, that did not happen.  I instead met some of the most caring and amazing people I've ever come in contact with. I was instantly put at ease when Cody's dad, Rod gave me a huge hug at baggage claims, the moment he saw us.  It literally changed my life.  The two weeks that followed were jam packed, and filled with fun.  Rod and Dana took us everywhere worth seeing in DFW. We laughed countless times and I had so much fun getting to know them.  I learned what great people they are and just how kind and loving two people can be. Towards each other and everyone they come in contact with.

In all honesty the entire family can be categorized as that.  I remember the second day we were there, Cody's grandma flat out asked "When are you two going to get married?"  I laughed and then turned to Cody.  All eyes were on him as he tried (stumbled) to explain why he hadn't asked me.  His grandma offered us a ring right then and there.  Obviously we didn't get engaged that day, but it felt so good to know that a woman I had just met already approved of me marrying her grandson. As the week went on there were numerous times where Rod or Dana  would ask us what it would take to get us to move there.  We of course laughed it off, but Cody and I discussed it when it was just the two of us.
 I cried when Rod dropped us off at the airport. One because I didn't know when we'd see any of them again. And two, because I really wanted to stay. The idea of leaving made me really, really sad.  It left me with a hole that was hard to explain.

Well Cody and I got on the airplane and landed safely back in Utah.  We went back to our jobs and seeing each other only on the weekends.  We went back to barely making ends meet and both wanting more.  That's when we seriously started discussing the idea of moving to Texas.

I know a lot of people say that they wished they could live where they vacationed.  I was just lucky enough to move to mine.

Have you ever gone somewhere that changed your future?  I would love to hear about it.

Best Friend Weekend

This past weekend, a little piece of home came to visit me.  It was exactly what I needed. In other words this past weekend, my best friend in the whole wide world, Leah came to visit me.  I hadn't seen her live in person in 8 months!!!  8 very long, miserable months! Our time was short, but we sure made the best of it.  We went to the zoo/Jurassic Park. Where we wrestled T-Rex, hung out with koalas, over fed a giraffe and laughed almost nonstop.  We also took more selfies than I can count.  Thanks for being so photogenic, Dallas Zoo animals.  We drove through downtown Dalla and of course stopped at Sprinkles, where they were able to accommodate Leah's gluten allergy with two different cupcakes. We then went to a mall and hung out basically in the candy shop from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where we got enough samples that actually buying candy felt unnecessary. We of course hit up the Disney store, where we got friendship Olaf hula dancers, for our cars. Leah enlightened me on her dreams of wanting to have table side guacamole, so I of course made all of her dreams come true and took her to my favorite Mexican restaurant. After that, we headed back to the apartment where we ditched Cody and watched my favorite movie About Time.  (Seriously if you haven't seen it yet, rent it!!)

If this doesn't make you say "aww", you have no soul

Sunday we lounged around for a while. I made banana pudding for the first time.  After that we went to a different mall where we spent a ton of time just browsing each of the stores.  We yet again hit up the Disney Store, where they just so happened to be having a fantastic sale!!  After the mall, Leah joined the Myers clan for Easter dinner, where she got to meet Cody's family for the first time.  We ate and chatted a lot, then it was time to go.  We headed back to the apartment where Leah finished packing and we talked. Mostly about how she should stay forever and ever. Then the time came to give her back to Utah. I hope all you Utahns enjoy her...or else!!

I had such a fantastic time and it was much too short.  I'm so glad I got a whole 24 hours with my best friend. Thank you for coming Leah!!!