Wake Up Ali. We're Going On An Airplane.

AE-5

"Wake up Ali. We're going on an airplane."

That's what I heard as Katie & Peter came walking into my bedroom last Friday morning at about 3:50am.

But let me back up.

I've known that Katie was up to something for the last week or two. About a month ago she put a Portland planning day on the calendar for Friday. There's nothing suspicious about that as we like to drive up there (we live about 2 hours away) from time to time and talk business and get inspiration and get out of the office for the day.

It became a bit suspicious when I got an email from Anna's soccer coach about their end of the year banquet which was scheduled for that same Friday evening. "You can't go." Katie told me. "You're going to have to see if they can move the date. You're not going to be back from Portland by then. And we can't change the day."

At that point I knew for sure something was up.

I thought maybe there was a concert in Portland or something along those lines that she was going to surprise me with.

So last Thursday morning started as usual. I went for a walk, came back and Katie was here to start the day. We did a bit of work and then I went to take a shower. When I came back into the office after taking a shower and getting ready for the day my dear friend Paolo was sitting at my desk.

"Surprise!"

AE-paolothurs

That was an awesome surprise, especially given that I'd just sent him a text the day before seeing if he could fly down in the next couple of weeks to do some creative brainstorming with me on a project we are working on. If you didn't know, Paolo works for Alaska Airlines which is what gives him lots of travel opportunities.

At this point I'm thinking - awesome - Paolo is coming with us to Portland for the day. That's the story they stuck with most of the day but I was still suspicious and thought maybe we were going to head up to Portland that night and got to a concert or other event. Earlier in the week Katie had told me to invite Aaron to come over on Thursday night and we'd have pizza and watch a movie. She's been wanting me to watch About Time since she saw it months ago.

Ae-ap

We did a bit more work and then went to lunch at a local Mexican restaurant and then they said we were going back to my house for brainstorming. I was waiting for them, at any moment, to say "surprise" we are doing this but they stuck with the pizza and movie plan.

After lunch we brainstormed.

Around 5pm Katie left for the day to take Charlotte (her dog) home and said she'd be back with pizza around 6:30pm. Paolo and I started cocktail hour and talked more in the way we usually do - about business and life and fun with lots of reminiscing thrown in (we've know each other for 24 years).

AE-dinnerthursday

Around 6pm Aaron showed up and he didn't have Woody (his dog) with him so I figured for sure we were going somewhere on Thursday night. Katie brought the pizza over around 6:30pm and her husband Peter arrived around 7pm. We ate and drank and had a few more drinks and sat outside in my backyard and around 11pm decided we'd watch the movie. By this point I thought to myself that this has been an awesome night and going to Portland tomorrow will be fun.

ae-3

We finish the movie around 1am (awesome movie about celebrating everyday life and the moments we are in right now). Katie and Peter head home. Paolo heads to the guest room and Aaron and I climb in bed upstairs. We decide we'll meet at 8:30am to drive to Portland.

At 3:45am Aaron's phone alarm goes off and I'm totally asleep and trying to figure out why in the heck his alarm is going off. He's not usually an early riser and it was still dark outside and I was in that early morning haze where nothing makes sense. I asked him what time it was and why in the world his alarm was going off. He barely responded. I hear something downstairs and just figure Paolo must have gotten up to go to the bathroom.

Instead, Katie and Peter come walking into my room and say, "Wake up Ali. We're going on an airplane."

Some of you might remember that I've done this sort of surprise with my kids a couple times. I love doing it to them.

These guys totally got me.

"Are you kidding? Really? Really? Are we really going somewhere?"

"Yep. Get up."

"Do I need to pack anything?"

"Nope. We are just going for the day."

I look over at Aaron and I say, "Are you coming too?" and he tells me that he has to go to work which wasn't a surprise because he's nearing the end of a big project and I knew he had a lot on his plate. Even in the middle of the awesome surprise it was hard not to feel disappointed that he wouldn't be coming too. I gave him a long hug and a kiss and lingered there for a few moments as I collected myself.

ae-4am

And then I got up. I put my clothes on. I walked downstairs. I gave Katie a big hug. I gave Peter a big hug. I gave Paolo a big hug. There was lots of laughing and giggling and head shaking. Lots of "didn't we just go to bed?" and "OMG" and that kind of stuff. We were all really tired but I was so game for this adventure.

I didn't ask where we were going. I figured they'd tell me when it was time for me to know.

I heard the shower turn on upstairs. I thought to myself that there's no way Aaron would be taking a shower at 4am if he wasn't actually going with us because he is not an early morning person unless there's a really good reason and he didn't need to be at work until later. I'm still not sure what exactly is happening and the other three are not giving me any information.

We stand around in the kitchen for a bit and at that point I'm wondering why we aren't leaving since I already said goodbye to Aaron (even though I continue thinking and hoping to myself that he might be coming). Then they tell me that Aaron is going to drive us to the airport. I'm still skeptical because it just wasn't all lining up in my head.

I sit down at the table to wait for whatever is next. At this point Paolo looks over at me and I'm pretty sure he could tell I was starting to feel a little anxious and/or unsure. He knows me well enough to know that even though I love adventure and travel and surprises I have a hard time letting go of control. Not knowing is being out of control. He comes over to me and whispers, "Aaron's coming too."

I hug him. Tight.

Aaron comes downstairs all showered and ready, still pretending that he's not coming with us wherever it is that we are going. "You guys ready to go to the airport?" he asks. We all grab our stuff (it is seriously so fun to get to travel without any luggage) and head out the door. I've got a big smile at this point and as Aaron starts to get in his car I get in with him knowing that he was going to drive to the airport too.

On the drive over I tell him how happy I am that he is coming too.

I live about 12 minutes from the local airport. On the way I have start feeling a little anxiety realizing that I'm about to get on an airplane for an unknown destination and in the excitment of the morning I forgot to bring my Xanax which is something I don't usually fly without. I used to have intense airplane anxiety many years ago which lead me to having a talk with my doctor who prescribed xanax for this type of anxiety. It actually went away for a number of years as I traveled more and more but it's recently become an issue again the last few times I've flown (to China, Kauai and to Houston). I like to have it just in case I need it because the anxiety can come on fast and it's really, really hard for me to control without the medication (I usually try deep breathing/mediation/visualization). Because this was all a surprise I wasn't in my regular "prepare for travel" mode I didn't even think to pack it.

I tell myself that I'll be fine.

We park and walk in.

Paolo gets our boarding passes and our first stop is Seattle.

I think it was at this point that they told me that we were hoping to head to San Francisco but we might end up somewhere else depending on the flight loads. We were flying stand-by with passes the Paolo is able to acquire as an employee of Alaska Airlines.

Love this idea so, so much.

We make our way through security and find a place to sit. At this point I start feeling a little panicky and sick to my stomach. I know some of you are reading this and thinking, but you travel really regularly. I know! And I love it. But there's something about it that gives me anxiety and you add that to being really excited for the surprise and unsure of what's to come and you get me in a bit of a panic with an upset stomach (which is where my anxiety often ends up).

After a short group discussion about my increasing anxiety we do the risky thing and Aaron and I drive back to my house (about a 24 min round trip) to get the Xanax because I'm not sure I can make it through four flights in one day without it. I knew I'd feel better if I had it and if we missed this first flight there was another we could take not too long after.

What I love about my friends is that they love me and my little bit of crazy regardless.

Aaron drove as safely as he could in a time crunch back to my house. I jumped out of his car, came inside, grabbed my medication, locked the door and got back in his car.

Very long story short, we made it back in time to catch that first flight to Seattle (they had just started boarding and there was no line in security).

ae-plane

Walking out to the plane there was a lot of excitement, a couple of high-5's and lots of joy.

We landed in Seattle and then took a second flight to San Francisco.

ae-flyin

AE-ferry

We rode BART into the city and headed to the waterfront first thing. We walked through the Ferry Building and grabbed some empenadas and walked towards Fisherman's Warf. We ate lunch at Boudin and then continued walking down around the corner and out onto a pier so we could see the Golden Gate Bridge from a distance.

AE-sanfran

ae-chowder

ae-sanfranbuilding

AE_boats

ae-aaron

ae-glasses

AE-boat

It was a beautiful clear day.

ae-limo

We walked back up the hill to ride the trolley until we found out it was more than an hour wait. There was a limo driver there who told us he'd take us to Union Square for the same price as the trolley. When he told us his name was Rufus there was no way we could say no - this is because we'd had a whole discussion earlier in the day about that name and some friends who were considering and/or joking about it as name for their baby. When he told us his name we all burst out laughing and just knew we needed to get a ride with him. Rufus for the win.

We hung out in the park for a bit, walked through Anthropologie and Zara and then headed back to the airport on BART.

ae-crazyfriends

I've never done a day trip flight like this and it was so, so cool.

ae-cedarbrook

We were able to get on our flight back to Seattle but weren't able to get on our stand by flight back to Eugene (filled up due to an earlier flight cancellation) so our day trip ended up including an overnight (note to self - whenever you find yourself on a "day trip" that includes flying you should always just stash a change of clothes in your bag - I did have a toothbrush at least). Our back up plan included staying the night at Cedarbrook Lodge which is a lovely hotel right near the airport.

ae-alaska

Early Saturday morning we headed back over to the airport and boarded a plane to Eugene. Paolo ended up staying the night - the original plan was that he would have flown back to Seattle on Saturday morning if we would have made it back on Friday night.

This meant BONUS fun day.

Aaron headed off to work for a few hours and Paolo and Katie and Peter and I decided to stop at our houses for a shower and a bit of work and then agreed to meet up for brunch and then hit some garage sales. Aaron ended up finishing his work earlier than expected so he met up with us at the restaurant.

ae-thrift

ae-katie

And then had an awesome sunny day of garage sales, thrifting, and an antique store.

After lots of looking and walking around we went to a local outdoor restaurants for cocktail hour and then decided to cook shabu shabu for dinner at my house. Shabu shabu is a Japanese meal - a little like a hot pot - that usually includes (at least the way my family makes it) thinly sliced beef, sweet onions, shitake mushrooms, bok choy, green onions, and tofu. It's something my Dad has made for years and I like to make from time to time for friends. I need to do a post on it one of these days. I've made it for Katie and Peter and Aaron before and Paolo has been around when my Dad was in charge. I love it because it's a cook at the table meal and it's slow and social.

ae-shabu

Deciding to cook that meant a quick trip across town to the Asian food store which is almost always a good idea. I also made a quick call to my parents while we were in the store to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything.

ae-shabudinner

While I prepped ingredients the other four sat at the table. Paolo taught the boys how to play cribbage (or started to teach them) and Katie had a glass of Prosecco. I love having people over to dinner like this - such a fun way to spend the weekend. There was so much laughter around my table - just the way I like it.

ae-paolo

Early Sunday morning I took Paolo to the airport and made plans to connect again soon. I love that he masterminded this whole adventure. I love his generous spirit. I love that he's been my friend for 24 years. I love how well he knows me. I love how easy his friendship is and I love that he loves to go to garage sales and thrift stores and brainstorm creative stuff along the way. We are pretty sure he got the best finds yesterday including a Pendleton hat, a big old radio, some suspenders and a wool sport coat (among a few other things).

AE-garden

It was a crazy, unexpected fun few days and I'm so full of gratitude for all the magic.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

95 thoughts

  1. Becky M says…
    05/19/2014

    Awesome friends to spend an awesome day with!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Tammy W says…
    05/19/2014

    Ali - Thank you for sharing your story and most importantly your anxiety with traveling. I could feel you through your writing and knew exactly how it goes. Other than my awesome husband, I am still searching for others that support me with those travel anxieties and I am so happy you have others that get it. I am determined by my teachings from Brene Brown to not escape or lose out on the ioy of living life because of those anxieties. I am excited to experience more joy in October when I make my first trip to the west coast in Portland for a conference. Also, trying to plan my first trip summer of 2015 our of the country with two of my best friends - hoping to live instead of breed the fear!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      05/19/2014

      You can do it - and you can get help :). Excited for your adventures!

  3. susan says…
    05/19/2014

    You have let me into one of your secrets about suffering with anxiety. I get the same stomach upset if I am doing something out of my comfort zone. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Jeni says…
    05/19/2014

    Great post Ali. Made me so happy.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Tracey says…
    05/19/2014

    Fun adventure, for sure! It was fun to read the play-by-play.

    Just saw "About Time" a couple months ago and adored it...much food for thought.

    Nice to know Katie wanted to share it with you, and glad you got to see it, too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. CJ says…
    05/19/2014

    What an absolutely wonderful surprise Ali, lucky you. I'm glad you had such a fantastic time. You have amazing friends, and they are very well deserved.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Cheryl says…
    05/19/2014

    So much fun! And I would love to learn how to make shabu shabu!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Jennie says…
    05/19/2014

    Love. Just love all of this. Love that you got to experience an adventure, and love that it made me remember adventures with friends.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Mary Beth says…
    05/19/2014

    Sounds like a fabulous adventure! Of course, with Paolo in charge of the fun, it's a done deal. ;-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Terri says…
    05/19/2014

    Ok so you aren't engaged but you did hit it big.....what about that pink couch??!! :-)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      05/19/2014

      The pink couch might need it's own post - ha!

  11. Teresa Mucha says…
    05/19/2014

    I laughed out loud when you said you at least had your toothbrush after seeing your post on Instagram about all the toothbrushes in your house. What a fun day...weekend!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Sue says…
    05/19/2014

    What fun Ali.....from the anticipation of a secret adventure all the way through to arriving back home at the end of it. Enjoy these special times with special friends it makes up for the not so good days!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Lyn Kaufmann says…
    05/19/2014

    Wow! love the bread bowls in San Fran but Seattle will always be home!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Annette says…
    05/19/2014

    You are blessed with wonderful friends!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. michele says…
    05/19/2014

    :) How fun.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Stacy says…
    05/19/2014

    Wow!So cool!! You have some great friends! (So surprised about your airplane anxiety. I fear flying too and you've inspired me to get over it!) :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Rae Bangs says…
    05/19/2014

    So, so awesome! That would be so much fun! I've never done that before! Maybe that will be one of my adventures to expand my OLW "Explore."

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Lisa W. says…
    05/19/2014

    OMG I felt like I could JUMP up and down as I read this post. I loved LOVED your word for word telling us the story!!! It was SO exciting, really fun!!! I am so glad Aaron did go, gotta say I wasn't thinking about the marriage proposal like some, my gosh I was to excited to see what was gonna happen next...lol But that would of been pretty darn awesome in San Fran too...just saying:)

    May we all have some kinda exciting day trip kinda adventure someday also!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing, so fun!!! OH you have some really awesome friends...love that!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kirsten J says…
    05/19/2014

    That is pretty much the coolest story I've heard in a good long while. My friend works for Alaska, as did his parents, and I remember back in the day I would be amazed that he would fly to Anchorage for lunch, or LA on a whim....you totally described my anxiety about travel. I don't worry so much that the plane will crash, I just....get this creeping anxious feeling. Ugh. I hate it.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      05/20/2014

      Yeah, it's really not about the crashing for me - it's that I can't get out.

  20. shea says…
    05/20/2014

    I loved this story! I also work for Alaska Airlines (in San Jose) it's such a fun perk to get to travel and that's so awesome that your friend brought you all along! I know how stressful that can be. So glad you had such great weather and good luck with the flights (except for the overnight in SEA) hopefully you get to have more fun adventures in the future!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Marie-Pierre says…
    05/20/2014

    This is the kind of life I'd love to live more often. That's how it is when I go to my parents, without my husband, and that my parents take the kids for a day. I meet my old friends and have fun and don't worry about life and that's so much fun. I'm glad you shared this story with us. It made me happy to read it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. tara pollard pakosta says…
    05/20/2014

    what great friends ali!
    I couldn't be happier for yoU!
    you seem so happy!
    xoxo
    tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. TracyBzz says…
    05/20/2014

    Cool!! Glad you wrote a recap, I had followed along on Instagram. What a cool adventure.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Jennifer McNeely says…
    05/20/2014

    Love the picture of you and Aaron looking at each other - priceless :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. cindy b says…
    05/20/2014

    WOW! This story just warms my heart so much! How BLESSED are you to have such amazing friends? Oh the memories you guys make.. freakin' AWESOME!!

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.