So, to simplify, let’s start with this.
We just wanted to go to our nephew’s wedding.
Now, I’m going to add that at this said wedding, our grandchildren would be attending, so that’s important to know.
Now, we’ll back up. One of our family values is to Show Up. We go to great lengths to Be There when exciting family events happen. Like graduations and weddings. And not just for our children, but our extended family.
It’s just a thing we love to do to show people we love them.
So of course, when our nephew got engaged last fall, we booked tickets for a quick weekend getaway from Melbourne Beach to Iowa – out Friday night, back Sunday night. Easy…um, peasy…
So, we packed our bags, and headed to the airport under wide blue skies, not a speck of raincloud to be seen. Arrived early. Got a bite to eat.
Boarded the plane.
And then got this announcement: due to rain in Atlanta, we’re not cleared to take off. We may be 30 minutes late.
Concerned, I asked the flight attendants about our connecting flight. “No problem” they said—our connection was coming in from Pensacola and they were delayed too. Two thumbs up.
Then we had to deplane because it went from 30 minutes to 4 hours. But still, our connecting plane was stuck in FL too, so…nyet problem. When we finally took off, 4 hours later, we still harbored hopes that we’d make that connection.
Alas, when we landed, another plane had gobbled up our gate, and we had to wait another twenty minutes before we deplaned.
During that time, our flight to Iowa taxied by us and headed off to Des Moines. Without the sad wedding goers.
And then the fun began.
We deplaned, and discovered our bags hustled over to the next outgoing DM flight without us (we were on standby). The next available flight was 7pm the next night. Two hours after the wedding ended. So….
I called Delta. Talked to a really nice lady named Debbie for two hours while we waited in the “No I didn’t get my luggage but I’d like to have a toothbrush tonight for my stay in the Delta terminal…” line.
Alas, no toothbrush for me (actually this is where travel savvy Susie gets a high-five because SOMEONE packed an extra toothbrush, plus, well, extra unmentionables because I also live with catastrophe Susie in my head).
Every single flight to the north was booked. Des Moines, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Rochester…and then….we suggested Madison. BAM! Debbe the Devoted elbowed out the competitors and snagged us a seat for the first flight out in the am. 11am—we’d arrive at 12:30 and with a 3+ hour drive to the wedding, we MIGHT make the reception.
(this is where the grandchildren come in). Hubs was like…maybe we go back to FL. I was like… um, GRANDCHILDREN. But we thought…do we do this? Do we risk it?
Sometimes you just gotta take the chance. So, yes, we booked that flight, and then I managed to snag the Last Room in Atlanta at a Motel 6, and we hauled our exhausted bodies to the place where they leave the light on for you, (IYKYK) and collapsed at 3am.
Cold water in the morning, but who needs showers? We were back at ATL by 8am, unshowered, looking a little rough.
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Not exactly Wedding ready.
And our bags were still on the flight to IA. *sigh*.
And then, the HAND of GOD reached into the baggage area and miraculously moved our bag to the Madison flight.
BAM! Wedding here we come. I rented the Last Available Vehicle in Madison, we landed, grabbed our rental AND our bags, and I proceeded to attempted to make myself wedding worthy.
To be honest, I felt like this is where I was starting from…
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People, I put on pantyhose in the car. Did my hair with the No Shower Shampoo. Applied makeup. And then we switched drivers and hubs shaved in the car and did the same.
We flew down the highway.
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And arrived 10 minutes after the ceremony.
But all was well. We danced. We laughed. We hung out with our grandchildren (and the bride and groom).
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And then on Sunday, we flew home.
So, yeah, we had that adventure this weekend.
Meanwhile, North hit #1 in the Christian Mystery and Suspense list.
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Thank you!!
Sometimes you just have to take a risk, you know?
Thanks for taking a risk on my books. And for reading NORTH. 
Don’t forget EAST is out in the Susan May Warren store! (get a jump start on book 2!)
More fun on Friday…stay tuned.
Thank you for reading!
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