Travel Woes

Mike's brother, CJ and his fiance, Amber are getting married in Tyler, TX this weekend. I planned to go early to attend the bachelorette party on Thursday night. Due to work, Mike wouldn't be able to come until very late Friday night, unfortunately missing the rehearsal dinner. He was in "the field" this week. Or, in other words, completely unavailable. No communication, what-so-ever.

Here's how the saga unfolds...

THURSDAY
8:45 a.m. - Bags packed, ready to go. Sommer picks Junah and me up at my apartment. We set off to Reagan National Airport in Washington for my 11:05 a.m. flight through Atlanta to Texas for my brother-in-law's wedding.

10 a.m. - Speak with unpleasant ticketing agent who informs me that due to fog, my flight is delayed. It's now scheduled to depart at 12:30 p.m. (Oh, did I mention I'm on standby?) Wish I could call Mike to tell him what's going on.

10:15 a.m. - So we find a seat at a little table beside the gate. There is a huge crowd gathered at every Delta gate, as their planes have all been canceled or delayed because of the fog. (This fog was unbelievable, I might add. We could barely see five feet in front of us in the car that morning.) It's not looking good. I'm getting a little nervous, so I call Amber to tell her I may be late for the party that night. Little did I know...

12:55 p.m. - Well, I guess the 12:30 departure was a lie! Here we sit. I feed Junah his breakfast along with myself. Then I decide to pass the time by folding the wedding programs I designed for CJ & Amber.

1:30 p.m. - Programs are folded. I'm getting anxious because they have started to board the plane and my name still hasn't been called for a seat assignment. There's this plasma TV that you're supposed to look at and wait to see if your name is cleared for a seat. Sadly, I'm No. 15 on that list.

1:55 p.m. - There are 6 people left (I'm assuming they're all standby as well). They call one more name and the woman standing next to me steps up and is allowed to board. The gate agent shuts the door behind her and says "flight's closed." Aaaahhhh!!! No, no, no! Let me on! I'm screaming inside. Oh my gosh, this is not good. I don't know where to go or what to do.

2:00 p.m. - Oh good, there is another flight leaving in a few minutes, so I go and stand in a huge line of people waiting to get a seat on that flight.

2:35 p.m. - No luck. I'm getting upset! I go to the first gate agent (the one who had already ended my hopes of getting there on time). I politely asked, what do I do? Now she tells me I have no luck of getting on a flight today, period. And that my best bet is the 6 a.m. flight the next day. I try to hold it together while she gives me my new ticket. Ma'am, where do I find my checked luggage, I ask. Oh, honey, your luggage is already on its way to TX, she says. (Lump in my throat.) Because of unrelated events, I'm already highly emotional. So now I'm close to tears. Since Junah is my carry-on, I had put all my essentials in my checked bags. I'm talking toothbrush, soap, deodorant, contact case/solution, make-up - everything! I've been dropped off at an airport an hour away from home. Mike is unreachable. Junah feels my nerves and just stares up at me with his big brown eyes. I notice he's got the shakes, too, as if to say, Mommy, you're scaring me!

2:45 p.m. - A call to the Stafford Wives. Please come and get me! I cry to them. They are on their way to the park with all the dogs, but without hesitation, they say, don't worry we're on our way. I'm a blubbering fool at this point. I hate inconveniencing people! I call everyone to tell them I won't be there today and that I'm sorry.

3:15 p.m. - A black Xterra pulls up to the pick-up area full of my beautiful friends, Margaret, Carolyn and Sommer. All three of them jump out of the car and come running over to give me a big group hug! It is the best moment of my week. They are so caring and sweet. I love you guys!

5:30 p.m. - We decide happy hour at Chili's is in order. Who can say no to free hot wings and chips and salsa?! My three friends come back to my apartment to pick me up. As a joke, they all jump out of the car again and surround me with a big hug. My spirits are lifted yet again. They are so funny. We go and have a great time eating, drinking, chatting and laughing.

9:00 p.m. - Bedtime for Casey and Junah. Alarm set for 3 a.m.

FRIDAY
3:00 a.m. - Bleary-eyed and freezing, I get up only to remember I have no toiletries. Crap! I was lucky to find an old toothbrush, a few sample cosmetics and well, Mike's deodorant.

5:00 a.m. - I've parked my car, taken the shuttle to the terminal, checked in and now I stand in the security checkpoint line. This guy behind me is wearing ENTIRELY too much cologne. Finally he walks away, but stench lingers. Then I'm embarrassed because I realize it's actually me! I'm wreaking of Old Spice High Endurance men's deodorant. Wonderful.

6:00 a.m. - Thank goodness, I made the flight. They've given me coffee, I'm feeling good. Junah is already asleep under the seat. Phew.

10:30 a.m. - I arrived at the airport, found my luggage, rented a car and am on my way to Tyler (90 miles away).

12:00 p.m. - I'm greeted by Mike's family... cousins, aunts and uncles everywhere. Very nice to finally arrive.

4:15 p.m. - Yay! A phone call from Mike. He's going to make his flight and will be here with me later tonight!

6:00 p.m. - Rehearsal dinner. Great food!

11:30 p.m. - Mike arrives. Only his luggage didn't. Problem is, my bridesmaid dress is in there!!!!!! Here we go again.

(Thankfully, the dress arrives just in time for the wedding the next day. All is well. What a crazy couple of days. I'm so glad they're over.)