Cross Country Adventure Recap Part I: Pre Graduation

So, as recruitment has taken over my life, we are going to do this recap in installments. (Right now I have a teensy break before heading back to the Greek Life Office at 11 pm. yes. that's right.)

First Up: Rhode Island, Pre-Graduation!!!

So, Wednesday morning I woke up bright and early to get all of my insane amounts of luggage into my dad's car, drive the two hours to the airport and fly from Minneapolis to Charlotte to Rhode Island.

I got off ok, and could not help but grin from ear to ear on every leg of my flights...which mean people sitting next to me thought it was ok to actually speak to me...but I was so excited I didn't even care!

When I finally landed in Providence I was greeted at the airport by Austin's dad, his girlfriend Lori, her daughter Emily and his Mom-Mom! They were all waving and grinning at the bottom of the escalator so the excitement continued.

Then they gave me the most exciting news of all - Austin was able to see us that night!! ack!

After a lengthy drive to the gorgeous base we pulled up to a parking lot where I could barely see in the distance a young officer-to-be standing in his khakis. Then I realized it was MY young officer-to-be!!! AHHHH!

At this point all I could think was:
 "WHY AM I SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT OF THIS TRUCK?!?!"

After a short struggle with the seat in front and trying to wedge myself very un-gracefully out of the door there we were: together again.

for about ten minutes. and he was in uniform. which meant little to no PDA.

e-x-c-r-u-c-i-a-t-i-n-g.

at that point though it was just so amazing to see him in person, and so weird to think I will see him in that uniform almost every day for like the next 20 years or so. Someone has pictures. I don't. I was busy staring :)

Pretty soon he had to leave to get dinner and that was Wednesday...sad faces...but there was more to come on Thursday.

I checked into the Navy Lodge and had a lovely view of some retired carriers from my window:

 

 Coincidentally- my dad was deployed on both of these carriers! weird, huh?

Thursday morning dawned and it was all I could do to bound from my bed and room and march over to Austin's training grounds.

At noon they had a change of command ceremony, after which Austin was free to show us around the base. His dad was so excited he looked like a little kid :)

The base was beautiful - a perfect setting for such a hellish experience, don't you think?

 

 This is the bridge that Austin came across in April and had not crossed back over until after graduation...The DI's really liked to work them out in the sand pits in direct view of the "Bridge to Freedom"

  

 These are some of the other classes being "beat" in direct view - and smell - of the lovely waterside picnic that the graduates and families were attending.

 

Crazy, eh?

 

 The label outside Austin's room

  

 This is the bed where Austin slept on top of covers, upside down. Apparently that is normal there.

Ready for some family pics?

  

Lori, Austin, Daryl 

  

Austin and Bertie *Mom Mom*

  

 Yay!

Soon after we had to get ready for the fancy schmancy "Hi Moms" dinner at the O Club!

More to come...