/// He's so handsome \\\
And after being apart for a week after constant togetherness on campus, I was dying.
So I drove 4 hours in these conditions to see him:
It was stressful for the first hour, but then around Mansfield it began clearing up, I found a pair of sunglasses to save my eyes from all the white, and I realized I'd been following this truck the entire way.See it? Right there? Yeah. He's my buddy.
I was beyond excited to arrive in Beaver County. I was greeted by Mike and suffered one of those ever embarrassing butterfly attacks. You know, where you can't speak intelligently and you just smile a lot?
Friday night we had an amazing dinner and went to Applebee's with friends. It was relaxed and easy, perfect after the stressful drive.
Saturday started early with a few hours of making ladylocks in Sito's kitchen, then Mike, John Jr., Mr. Girata, and I went out to shoot some guns!
The AR-15... It was VERY loud and kinda scary. And I couldn't hit anything with it! It was really fun to challenge myself though! ->
But the 357 Magnum Revolver was SO fun! (And I actually succeeded at hitting two bottles with only a few shots!!)
Mike only hit one... ;) hehe
After shooting time was over, Mike, Grandma, Mrs. Girata, and I went to church. After church, we gathered at Sito's for dinner: fried chicken, TATERs, and coleslaw. YUM! I could eat those taters for days. Once the table was cleared, the real fun began. and I was taught how to play Shanghai Rummy! (This is a very intense game that Mike always talked about. I was prepared to be overwhelmed) But by the final hand, Mike was in the lead and I was the only one within reach of beating him! With spirits renewed, we took on the final hand, and I WON! I'm not sure how happy that made Uncle Paul... But I was grinning from ear to ear. After the game, Aunt Annette and Sito surprised me with their generosity. They bought me Christmas presents! Sito took me back into the kitchen afterward and told me how much she loved me. I almost cried. We hugged. It was perfect.
I really love Mike's family and am so blessed to be welcomed as I am. I wish I could go back to Beaver County right now!
Saturday night was finished with a cozy viewing of the Santa Clause 3 with Michael. I love just being close to him. I always want to be holding his hand or connected to him. That's one of the hardest things about being away.
Sunday morning was filled with more alone time for Mike and I, which was nice. We got to exchange Christmas presents! I love the delicate earrings he bought me and the diamond candle was so exciting!! I got my ring late last night (and I'll admit, I probably dug it out sooner than I should have, but the candle and ring are both still in tact!!)
Isn't it beautiful! I can't wait to show him on New Year's.
Tomorrow is Christmas, and it'll be weird not being able to share it with him, but I'll be counting down the days till I see him again.
Merry Christmas Eve!
xoxo





