The butterflies are setting in today as I prepare to fly to Washington, D.C., to get a view of what will soon be my new home.
I last visited Washington as a senior in high school. We had the usual trip to the nation’s capital, but I’ve never had the opportunity to return until now.
And honestly, it is so amazing and unbelievable that destiny will carry me back there to make a home with my soon-to-be husband, David.
I will leave Jackson this afternoon and land at Baltimore Washington International Airport in the early evening.
It has been nine years since I last boarded a plane, and flying on Sept. 11 into Washington doesn’t do much to calm the nerves. But I will manage.
Since that fateful Sept. 11, 2001, there are so many more safeguards when it comes to flying. And I’m sure airports are even more careful when it comes to the anniversary of one of our nation’s most tragic terrorist attacks.
Despite thoughts of Sept. 11, I am so excited about my trip and my upcoming wedding.
To prepare for the flight, I had to go online Thursday to check in and print out my boarding pass. That was so cool.
I guess you can tell I haven’t flown in a while. When did they start doing everything online?
The last time I flew, they mailed me my tickets, and I presented them at the gate when I got there.
As I was sharing that story with one of my staff members, she quickly told me that having your tickets mailed to you was “so yesterday.”
I remember saying something similar to my parents when everything became computerized. It’s a little harder to swallow when you begin aging and the tables are turned on you. I guess I am getting too old and, obviously, don’t fly very often.
I just laughed and went along my way, excited about the prospect of a new adventure and the fact that I had learned something new.
Plus, my mind is on more important things. My fiancé and I are counting down the days until we can begin our life together. I know that is common with all couples who are head over heels in love and preparing to walk down the aisle, but I have waited so long and never thought it would happen to me.
We have a full agenda ahead of us this weekend.
Our main goal is to look for a place to live and shop for wedding rings. We already have a sense of what we are looking for, and my wonderful fiancé, who does travel and logistics for a living, has everything lined up.
I’ll also get to meet a few of his friends Saturday. Although I’m not too nervous about that, I know I will be scrutinized to make sure I am good enough for their David.
I have planned a nice wardrobe, gotten my gray streaks colored and will be on my best behavior.
You know what they say about first impressions. I want to make sure mine is a good one.
David was in a similar situation a few weeks back when he met my folks for the first time. Everything went smoothly, and they love him almost as much as I do.
I hope his folks think the same about me.
This will be a very short visit, but it will give me a good picture of my future home and allow David to show me the place in which he grew up. I can’t wait to see Washington through his eyes.
The trip also will help me prepare for what to take and what to get rid of before I leave Greenwood at the end of November. You know, all those things that cloud your mind before making a big move.
So off I go, praying for safe travel and looking to have a wonderful weekend with my husband-to-be.
