Last winter was surprisingly mild, but you wouldn't hear me complaining. The one time we got hit with snow was at the end of December/beginning of January, and we didn't see it again. I was grateful for the warmth during the summer. I was also grateful for the clear roads.
Last December, it had been a few weeks longer seeing Seth than I was used to. The longest we usually went without each other was two weeks(we were spoiled, as long as long distance relationships were concerned). I had been searching for a car, and the plan was to drive down to visit him the week before I went home for Christmas. It had been almost a month since I'd last seen him, and I was sorely disappointed that my car search had turned up nothing. The weekend was quickly approaching, and I sadly had to tell Seth that it would be an additional two weeks before we got to see each other.
I was very blessed that semester to have one of the best, and sweetest, roommates I've ever had. While crying and telling her how sad I was that I couldn't go and see him, she offered to drive me down that weekend.
But we didn't tell Seth.
The plan was to leave Saturday evening, after Torie got off work. At about 9 am, that Saturday, Torie woke me up with a smile, telling me that someone had agreed to cover her shift, and we could leave immediately. I have never jumped out of bed faster. I was packed, showered, and ready to go within an hour. We stopped off and fueled both us and her car, and began our 4.5 hour drive.
It was one of the most fun car trips I've ever had. Made more exciting by my jumping up and down on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating arriving.
Seth and I had agreed to facetime that night, to makeup for the fact that we wouldn't get to see each other. We got there slightly later than anticipated(gas/potty breaks always take more time than you think), and it was just starting to get dark(it was getting dark at like, 4 pm, though). With my heart beating out of my chest, I called him from his porch, and tried(unsuccessfully) to sound sad.
"Hey, babe. Listen..something came up. Torie is trying to get out of an awkward date tonight, and I agreed to hang out with them instead. I won't be able to facetime you tonight...but we could always face time tomorrow."
"...really?"
I knocked on the door.
"Yeah. And hey, listen, I have to go, we're about to leave. It was super last minute. I'm so sorry. I'll call you when I get home, for sure."
His dad opened the door, with a look of surprise and joy. I whispered a hello, as I heard Seth confused, and sad. on the other line, say goodbye.
"Does he know you're here?" His dad asked, after enveloping me in a hug.
"No" I grinned, practically skipping to the stairs, to head down to his room.
As soon as I opened the door to the stairwell, I saw him. Standing in his sweats, holding a cat to his chest, and his face broke into a smile.
"I knew it! You sounded WAY too happy when you told me we couldn't facetime tonight." I giggled and grinned as I ran down the stairs to hug him.
It ended up as a short visit, just spending time with him and his family. But it was one of my favorites, getting to spend that time with him before he left for his mission.
Inspired by this LDR Writing Prompt: Visits.
