Back in October Chanel and I had decided that on December first we would do Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide whose family we would go with for Christmas. But, he had gone to visit my family various times while we were engaged and I, on the other hand, had met his mom for the first time on the day of my graduation and had spent some time with them for those two days and then hadn't seen them again until the wedding when I was at his house for about 10 seconds before the chaos of the wedding schedule began. Not only that but Kevin was going to leave in the coming year for boot camp.
So, I decided that for this year we needed to spend it with his family and for Thanksgiving we were planning to stay in Utah. I was looking forward to having our first Holiday as a newly weds and being in charge of my own turkey and doing our thing and having a little Thanksgiving get together with Dennis and Meg.
Early in the week my Dad called Chanel pretty much begging him to make the drive and come down or Thanksgiving. Chanel explained that we couldn't. We had work on Wednesday and Saturday and only had two days free. If we went we would have to take his car because it is brand new and has gap insurance where as my car is older and was a higher risk of leaving us stranded. However, his car is stick and since I can't drive stick he would have to make the 12-14 hour drive there and back by himself. My Dad pleaded some more but Chanel knew it was too dangerous and risky.
After the phone call, however, the idea popped in his head that maybe we wouldn't be able to drive down but we hadn't explored the possibility of flying. He checked the flights knowing it would be a long shot since it was the holidays, but miraculously the flights looked really good.
We didn't decide we were actually going until Tuesday night. I was reluctant to drop my Thanksgiving visions of spending the first holiday as a couple doing our own thing. But since I wan't going to be spending Christmas with them I figured I should go since I didn't know when the net opportunity would come up to see them.
Chanel got a free standby from his mom and a buddy pass for me.
Wednesday morning Chanel and I left work early and drove to the airport.
Our flight had a connection in Seattle. Around 6:00pm While we were waiting to board the plane to Fresno. My dad called me. He was still hopeful that we would be driving down. Indifferently I told him we were at the movies and that I would call him after. His voice choked up and asked, "so you're really not coming?" more as a last hopeful plead as it sunk in that we were not on our way.
I mustered all my strength to keep my cool. "No, sorry dad, we couldn't make it happen. I'm going to stay and have Thanksgiving with Dennis." "You're mom's been crying" he said and I could tell he was struggling to figure out how he would tell her the news. "Sorry, I really am, but can I call your later?"
"Ok. Call us after the movie."
It was cruel. I know. But I didn't want to spoil the surprise.
When we landed in Fresno, Valerie and David were there to pick us up. I had them park across the street and a house down and then Chanel and I sneaked up to the house and rang the door bell. Carmelo answered. "Hey!..." I put my finger to my lips shushing him. He smiled and let us in. I walked to the family room where my Mom and Dad were sitting with their backs to me watching what I assume was a novela.
I nudged my Mom's arm.
"Dianita!!!" She screamed after a loong gasp and moment of shock. Tears rolled down her face as she hugged me. My dad stood up alarmed, saw me and Chanel and was in shock for a couple minutes.
"It can't be, no, it can't be" he kept saying too shocked to believe we were really there, Home for Thanksgiving.
We got there Wednesday night and had to leave Friday morning, but it was worth it.
My mom's stuffing is the best and we left with stomachs full and crazy blackfriday stories to tell.
Chanel had his life threatened one moment and the next was hugged and kissed by a complete stranger.
We went to Walmart to keep Daniel company while he waited in line for a tv that was going to go on sale.
We showed up and cut in line where Daniel was. Daniel had already made friends with everyone around him. And when we showed up the lady in front greeted us with a friendly smile asking if I was his sister.
A little bit later, the walmart employees came to tell us that we needed to keep a straight line and be grouped by household because they couldn't tell who was with who and how many tvs they needed to count.
Suddenly this guy towards the back starts shouting, Points at Chanel and says "that guy has been cutting and blah blah blah...
Chanel smiles and calmly tells him that we are not even buying a tv and that we are just here with Daniel.
For some reason Chanel smiling seemed to anger him even more.
"Wipe that smirk off your face or I'll go over there and slap it off blah blah blah...
Then Daniel whose a security guard bellows out in a matter-of-fact way: "Um sir, that's illegal"
A fight is about to break out but, yes, Daniel indeed it is illegal. Would you like to tell us our rights as well?
The older lady that Daniel had made friends with in line had our backs and told the guy off and then the employees took care of him so no fight broke out but Chanel and I decided to leave the line anyway.
Who knew smiling on Thanksgiving could get you in so much trouble?
Chanel was upset after, disappointed in humanity that such behavior would be displayed on thanksgiving.
Bit a couple moments later as we were walking down an aisle a lady grabs Chanel to a halt and exclaims, "mijito! look how big you've gotten! it's been so long!" She huggs and kisses the life out of him and Chanel keeps smiling and hugs her back.
perplexed, i wondered who he knows that I didn't in my hometown.
As soon as she's behind us, I ask" do you know her?
no, do you?
no!
Chanel claimed she was sent by Heavenly Father to make up for the other person yelling at him
We'll never know who that lady was who restored Chanel's faith in humanity.
Overall it was great trip and its great to know that people miss you.
