When an XBOX Shows Up at Your Door

In August I got to go to a Taylor Swift concert. If any of you know me, you know that I am obsessed with Taylor Swift and that this was one of the best days of my life! Here’s the catch, the concert was August 8 and my boyfriend’s birthday was August 9. You are probably thinking, whatever, they are a day apart, you would be fine. The problem was that the concert was in Seattle and the boyfriend was in Eastern Idaho. This was bad-news-bears.

T-Swift equals dreams

Greg was so upset that I wasn't going to be able to spend his birthday with him. Knowing that going to the concert was a dream come true for me, he tried his best not to make me feel bad. I, more than anything, wanted to make him feel special on his birthday so, here is what I did.

Immediately following the concert, I started driving. I drove 4 hours to my grandma’s house in Eastern Washington to stay the night. By the time I arrived there, it was 3am and I was exhausted. Because I couldn’t talk to Greg while I was driving, he thought I was mad at him and that I was just ignoring him. Things got even more fishy from his point of view when I texted him at 3am to say goodnight (this was a terrible idea haha).

The next day I left as early as I could so I could make it there for his birthday dinner. Throughout the day, I would call him but only when I should have been “driving.” When I called I was “driving to church, driving home from church, or driving to a friend’s house.” I felt terrible lying all day but it was totally worth it.

I stopped at a gas station when I got close. I changed into a cute new dress and spruced up my makeup (ladies, you understand). Throughout the day I had been in contact with his mom and everything was getting so close and exciting, When I was driving over, I saw a car similar to his and totally freaked thinking he was going to see me! To my relief, it wasn't him and I could go back to my sneaky plan.

I carefully worded every text and secretly found out where he was and how best to surprise him. I parked my car down the street, loaded up my arms with presents and snuck to his parent’s front door. I set down the gift and knocked as my heart beat faster.

His aunt opened the door, I said “SURPRISE,” while she turned out of the way so Greg has a clear view. When he saw me, his hand went immediately to his mouth and I ran to hug him. We even had to walk into the other room because emotions were so high. Love was radiating through us both and a few tears might have been shed.

Oh yeah, and I got him an Xbox. Haha! I love you Greg.

xoxo Jess

Has someone surprised you before? Comment!!

This Water Tastes Like Feet

I was chosen to be a bridesmaid at my cousin’s wedding and I was SOOO excited. We got to get all primped and beautiful and spend a day supporting the bride and groom and taking fun photos. Honestly, weddings are my jam so I was so pumped for the day.

When the reception came, there was a long receiving line full of the bride and groom, their parents and all of the wedding party. We stood there in line shaking hands and making small talk. It was quite tiring considering that there were 300 plus guests at this reception. It was a mad house!

“These heels were a bad idea,” I thought. “No one will notice if I just…” I slipped off my heels and placed them behind me near the wall outlining the receiving line. I continued to meet and greet and act like no one noticed that I was 4 inches shorter.

The exhaustion really set in after 2 hours had passed of standing and talking. My mom, being the sweet heart we all know and love, was bringing me snack and drinks throughout the night to keep my energy high. One of my fellow bridesmaids became a good friend of mine that day. We had a blast laughing and talking and eating.

After more time passed I decided to slip my shoes back on so I could feel like a true professional bridesmaid. I sent my toe back to where I thought my shoe was but instead, I felt the cool sensation of dipping my toe in water! I removed my foot from its home under the sea and quickly slid both of my shoes on hoping that no one had noticed.

As I looked around, it seemed that my little foot swim had gone unnoticed so I began to relax. Within the next 10 minutes, my fellow bridesmaid friend decided she was thirsty. How do I know? Because she reached down and picked up the vary cup that served as a toe bath. Before I could stop her. She took a drink.

To this day, she still doesn’t know. Shhhh don’t tell.

xoxo Jess

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Policeman's Flashlights are Bright!

For some reason, lying on the lawn can cause a huge ruckus. I was dating this boy and one evening we decided to go stargazing. We didn’t go far; we simply walked out of his apartment door and laid on the grass.  We brought two blankets out with us; one for under us and one for over us. I know, super romantic, right?

We laid there looking at the stars and talking until we both fell asleep. In all innocence, we drifted off in our puddle of blankets. Next thing I knew, there was a bright flashlight shining right in my eyes.

“Miss? Excuse me, miss?”

 I look up to see a man in uniform looking down at me. It took me a minute to realize what was going on but the reflection of red and blue lights off of the man’s black uniform confirmed to me that this was a police officer looking down at me.

The guy I was with uncovered his head and the cop jumped! “There is two of them,” he said. That is when I realized that he wasn’t alone. The parking lot was filled with two cop cars, an ambulance and a fire truck all with lights flashing.

“What in the world is going on,” I thought. The rest of the conversation was kind of a blur: may I remind you I had just woken up. He said he thought we looked like a hamburger and asked where we lived. At this point, we could literally touch my boyfriend’s apartment.

Before I knew it, the lights and officers were gone. That is when I finally had the chance to sit up and process the whole situation.

I must say, this is the most interesting interaction I have ever had with a police officer!

Turns out that someone had called the cops on us thinking someone had jumped off the building and hurt themselves or a hobo was sleeping on the grass or a drunk person had plopped down in the neighborhood.

I am proud to say we were none of those things and there were no more marks added to my permanent record.

Giving Up the Super Bowl

It was a Saturday night when I had a mini heart attack. I was so looking forward to traveling to Mexico from Salt Lake City on the following Monday I could hardly stop talking about it. Some friends and I went out to a movie and I proceeded to take off my jacket and sit down.

I said to my friends, “Don’t let me forget that jacket, it has important things in it.” I was referring to my phone charger and my favorite chap stick, of course. “What is in there? Your passport?” my friends laughed at the thought.

That is when I realized. My passport was in Seattle and I was in Salt Lake!

“What am I going to do? I can’t go on my trip? Wow that would suck!” My mind started racing. I texted my mom and we both face-palmed thinking about how dumb it was that we hadn’t thought about this yet! We couldn’t mail it, it was the weekend and I was scheduled to leave in less than 48 hours.

This is when my super hero father jumped to the rescue. Without a question my dad decided he would start driving and keep driving until he could meet me to hand over the precious treasure.

He started driving at 4:30 a.m. and made it all the way to Mountain Home, Idaho where we quickly met and were back on our way. On top of all of this, it was Super Bowl Sunday and my dad, who cares about football more than anyone you know, gave up watching the bowl to save me from the hole I had dug myself into.

As I write, I am on my way to Mexico to meet him and my family less than a day later. My dad drove 20 hours in one day so that I could go on this trip.

He is my hero.

What has your wonderful family done for you?

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My Best Friend's Boyfriend

On a tropical excursion to Hawaii, I met my best friend’s boyfriend. My best friend, lets call her Becca because that is her real name, and I had the awesome opportunity to go to Maui with her family summer of 2014. Oh we had so much fun!

            It was a Tuesday when we found out it was an option for us to go. On that Friday, we were on our way to our dream destination. Not only is Hawaii an amazing place, but I was with my best friend; there was no way we wouldn’t have a good time. We definitely let the good times roll!

            On a low budget, we spent a lot of time laying in the sun and enjoying the beach. We also spent time talking to and meeting new friends. Meeting people on vacation is a BLAST! Everyone is happy and enjoying their vacation and who doesn’t want some more vacation buddies.

            One day, we were sitting by the beach, watching the waves roll. We were talking with a new friend that seemed pretty cool. I decided to make a run to the bathroom. On my way there, I passed a pair of guys sitting at a table. I noticed them; they noticed me.

            On my way back from the bathroom, one of them waved at me. I decided to talk to them! You know that anxious feeling you get when you are taking a chance? Yeah I definitely felt that. Food is a great conversation starter and, lucky for me, they were eating a pizza. I went out on a limb and asked,

“Do you need help finishing that?”

            Of course they wanted to share a pizza with me! I’m the coolest friend you can have. At least this is what I told myself to keep my confidence high. I started talking about how my friend was down on the beach and if they weren’t interested yet, having two of us undeniably spiked their interest.

            Becca and I spent the rest of the day playing in the pool with our new friends Dannie and Harry. We were playing water volleyball, doing pool stunts, drinking lemonade and showing them our high school show choir choreography (of course).  All in all, we had a blast!

            Through the rest of the week, we met up with them at the pool and the game room and continued to have a great time!

            Brooke and Dannie unquestionably hit it off. It has now been a year and a half later, they are still dating and loving it. Eleven months of long distance led to her moving to his city and they finally have the chance to spend time together.

            Thanks to me, Hawaii and some pizza, my best friend has her boyfriend. If only I could have found me a tropical hottie.

Have you introduced your friend to their sweet heart?

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"This is how we beach" -Becca