Love and Life

A Christmas Miracle!

Since it was our FIRST Christmas together, Ryan and I were planning on spending it here, in Minneapolis, and starting our own Christmas traditions. Soon, I learned it would be my "last" Christmas at home with my family, since my Dad just took a job in Charlottesville, VA. With that change, my amazing husband surprised me and changed our plane tickets so we could be at my home on Christmas Eve. I have the best husband, ever!!

So at 3:30am Christmas Eve morning, we got up and got going. Well, Ryan was really the one that had to get going--- we were in the middle of the biggest snow storm at Christmas Minnesota has seen in a long time, so Ryan got up and shoveled our driveway and our sidewalks before we left. By 5am the taxi was at our house and we hurried out into the snow with our bags. Now, let me tell you, this trip to the airport is a story in and of itself!!

About 8 minutes into our drive, we are on the highway and our Taxi driver announces that his Taxi is breaking down as we speak.

Ryan: "Oh, really? That can't be good ..."
Taxi Driver: "No, I just lost my power steering. I think its the alternator."
Ryan and Kiley: Silence.
Taxi Driver: "I live close to here, is it ok if I drop this car off, and get my other car? This one is not going to make it to the airport."
Ryan and Kiley: "Sure"

So, luckily he really did live close by, we hop in his grand marquee and make our way to the airport. Once we got inside, this is another story. Holy Canoli I have never seen so many people inside an airport. Just the line to drop off our bags (we have already checked in) is at least an hour long. We only have 1.5 hours until our plane starts boarding. This is where we catch our 2nd big break of the morning. A Delta attendant grabs about a hundred of us waiting in line and shows us to the basement baggage drop off. 20 minutes later and we are in the Security line. Too bad this line is again, an hour long wait to get through. This is where we catch our 3rd big break of the day. There is a cute girl in front of us, and a male airport worker walks up to her and asks if she is a frequent traveler. She (and we) all say yes. He informs us that there is a DIAMOND lane security line. WHAT?! Who knew about this? I have traveled MANY a times and have never seen a diamond lane. Sure enough, we find this little black diamond sign for the diamond lane and hop in line. 20 minutes later, we are through security and on our way to our gate! We even had time to grab breakfast at McDonalds.

Now, one would think this is enough miracles for one morning at the airport, right? Well, here's a few more. We board our plane and get all settled in when a Delta stewardess asks if we would change seats. Apparently there was a child sitting in the exit row. Of course we switch and we find that Ryan has all the leg room in the world! Now, I have one happy husband! As we were waiting to take off, we look out the window to all the snow accumulating on the ground. I just keep praying that we will be able to take off into the air and get to CA! Soon, we see 15 --- yes, 15 snow plows plowing the runway for us!! (I apologize for the lack of pictures, Ryan was keeper of the camera that morning and it wasn't easily accessible). It really was a sight to see. So now the runway is clear and we are waiting to take off, when the Pilot gets on the announcer and lets us know that the airplane needs to be towed away from the gate. Yikes. The snow has us stuck. We feel a few jolts, and no real progress and I start to fret that we are stuck in Minnesota for Christmas. However, a few more times, and a 2nd tow truck gets us away from the gate and on our way. We were 45 minutes late taking off, but we got to CA safely and in time for Christmas! YAYYY.

We were so grateful for our morning of miracles that got us home.