Countdown to brace off: 53 days
Countdown to Rebecca being in Chicago: 1 day… scratch that! She’s here!
Countdown to moving out of RIC: About a month
Holy cow did I get surprised today! I should have picked up on some of the signs but I guess I’m a little slow on the uptake. Indicators:
1. Earlier this week, the therapists asked why I had asked off for Saturday. I told them it must be an error because I needed Sunday off to go get Rebecca. Mom mom played it off that we were gonna have a Derby day. I told them I wanted a good workout Saturday morning and not to give me the whole day off. Even then, when I got my schedule last night there was nothing on it, which upset me.
2. Yesterday, Kurt, Ellee’s boyfriend, asked if I was excited about seeing Rebecca today. I explained to him that she was coming in on Sunday. I learned later that Ellee punched him in the back at this point.
3. My mom was far too concerned about my hygiene. She kept asking if I was going to shave and I told her I was waiting til Sunday. She kept pushing saying I could shave two days in a row, which I haven’t done for years. I had to tell her to lay off. Then she was strangely concerned with what I was wearing. Odd.
4. After all the amazing news yesterday, Rebecca acted strange. She just said, “I gotta go, congrats!” and then we didn’t talk again. She didn’t respond to any of my texts and then acted weird in the morning, saying her phone died. We also always pray before her flight and it was really weird she didn’t seem to care about that.
So that’s a long buildup for the surprise which is probably obvious at this point. Since I had nothing to do, my parents and I went to West Egg Cafe for brunch. Suddenly some hands covered my eyes and I said, “Chrissy?” Since she was coming in around noon. But it was Rebecca. She had everyone in on it and flown in a day early. Talk about making my day. Very happy guy right here. Call me sappy, guys, I don’t care.
Surprise number 2…
The original plan for the day was to hang out with my parents at their hotel and watch the Derby. A chill day. Chrissy and Kim were going to join us, as they had flown in from Columbus. So now my brain was out of whack not knowing what was going on. My parents left after brunch and Rebecca and I caught up at RIC for a little bit.
Around 3, we headed over to my parents’ hotel. I didn’t want to keep Chrissy and Kim waiting since they had flown in and all. When we walked in, though, there were tons of friends there. A surprise Derby party! Ellee had brought up tons of stuff from Louisville to recreate my Aunt Cha’s famous Derby party that’s been going on for like 300 years. It even smelled the same since the food was the same. Only thing missing was the bookie, Randy. And of course my Aunt Cha and Uncle Lee. But what a great party. We hung out for a while, mint juleps were served, and we all crowded around the tv for the Derby.
Jake and my dad. Jake thinks he’s a pimp, I guess.
Jackie, Jason, Ellee, Jake, Kurt. Wrong, camera, guys.
That would be my fiance, Rebecca, on my lap. Seriously great surprise.
The whole gang. Erik was there too. Somebody had to take the picture. Please notice Jake’s bow tie, suspenders, pink pants, and sunglass holder thing (?). He also had on what looked to me like blue suede shoes. He has an outfit for every occasion, seriously. Derby in Chicago!
I seriously couldn’t have had a better day. Yesterday my leg had huge improvements. Today I’m overwhelmed by Rebecca and then hanging with friends. I’m feeling very lucky and blessed right now.
Thank you all for all the love and prayers. Lots of love being felt by this guy typing.
G’night,
Chip
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