The Airport & "Do You Like My Rims?"

We're back...sorry about the short break. Yesterday was a little busy and truth be told, I'm a little behind on writing this.  Chris sat down and wrote up his memories of our trip in one day (a very long day). I, on the other hand, have been trying to write a little each day, so I'm slowly catching up.  One other caveat, we read our stories to each other before we post them here - figure Chris should hear how I was feeling and thinking from me before he reads it on a blog. :)

So back to our story.  This post is all me!  Chris got his turn last time and so this time you'll hear what I thought of the airport and the pick-up.  Hope you enjoy because we sure did.

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Megan

It was decided that November 11-13th would be the perfect weekend and I booked my flight the next day...

I’m going to jump out of the story line right this very minute to share with you another one of the things that I love about Chris. He gives me confidence in myself. Not the “you can do it” kind of confidence, pretty sure I’ve got that in spades. It’s the “you-are-wonderful-just-the-way-you-are-and-you-are-everything-I-need-kind-of-way”.  I didn’t realize how when you start a serious relationship, one in which you recognize that you are going to be opening yourself up emotionally and spiritually to a person, how much personal insecurities can rise to the surface.  I thought I was a pretty confident person, but as soon as I committed to actually seeing Chris for the first time the worries started rising.

I think Chris sensed that and that night as we were talking about my upcoming trip in 2 ½ weeks time he says, “I can tell something’s up with you. What’s going on?”

“I’m just worried that when I get off the plane, you’ll see me and say ‘whoa, she’s so not what I was expecting?’” (And in my head I’m running through all of the insecurities that I have about my physical appearance).

“WHOA! Stop right there.  I’ve seen pictures of you. In fact I saw your picture from the food fair last night…I-Know-Exactly-What-I’m-Getting!”

This is where I tell you that this entire time I’ve been very conscious of posting pictures of myself on Facebook.  By conscious I mean I made sure to post a bunch of CURRENT photos, none of this 10-years-ago-when-I-was-younger-and-thinner.  Nope, I had friends and family take pictures of me today and yesterday and I posted them (even if a few made me cringe) just so that Chris would not have any surprises.  I’m glad that I did.

His simple declaration, “I-Know-Exactly-What-I’m-Getting!” said so emphatically, really settled things for me.  He’s good that way! Making me feel like I’m exactly what he needs and wants.  It’s hard to put into words how much that means to me.  I don’t’ have to try with him, try to be thinner, prettier, funnier, wittier, younger, or any other “er”.  Chris loves me.  Just plain old Megan Schaub. I’m more than enough for him.  He tells me I’m perfect for him just the way I am. And the crazy part is, I believe him.

Day 1: Monterrey, CA – Last First Date

So November 11, 2011, is a day that I’ll never ever forget.  I started by putting a few hours in at work.  Not easy to do cuz all I could think about was my pending trip and meeting Chris.  It was interesting because everyone kept asking me if I was nervous. And truthfully I wasn’t.  At this point Chris and I have been talking for almost 2 solid months.  Talking nightly, for hours, so I really felt like I knew him and this trip was more about finding out if we had physical chemistry to go with the mental and emotional chemistry.  If the entire thing tanked I knew that at least I’d get a really good friend out of this, because we had already grown so close.

I wore the obligatory “new outfit” so I figured “this is as good as it gets” for me and I felt pretty good about myself.  But that confidence came more from Chris than myself.  We had both talked previously about how we were huggers. So I was expecting a smiling Chris waiting for me at the end of airport walk way, with a big giant hug, maybe flowers, maybe a kiss…something.

And what I got was nothing.

He wasn’t there.  If you’ve been to the Monterey airport, you know there’s no way I could miss him.  Their airport is teeny-tiny.  And Chris wasn’t anywhere to be seen.  I was a little surprised and disappointed. BUT I knew that there was a reason.  I already knew that Chris was SOOOO not the type of guy to leave a girl “hangin”.  I figured something had to be up.  I hadn’t walked any further than the luggage carousel and I get a phone call.

“Tell me your plane hasn’t landed.”
“Can’t. I’m here.”
“Dang. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries. I’m fine.”
“I have had the craziest morning and I’ll tell you all about it. I’m less than 5 minutes away. I’ll be right there.”
“No problem. I’ll be right here waiting for my luggage.”

We hung up.  Truthfully, I was neither worried nor upset, just plain excited.  I stood there for a while craning my neck around looking for that face, his face.  Before my luggage even came out of the carousel, I saw Chris walking through the exterior airport doors. 

He’s here. And it’s him. That’s all I was thinking.  But what truthfully came over me was an overwhelming feeling of peace.  You’re probably asking yourself what about all the “love tingles”, butterflies, and giddiness that come with falling in love.  For me at that moment it was an overwhelming feeling of peace and coming home when he took me into his arms the first time.

I don’t think we even said hi. He just walked in straight to me and I walked into his arms. We hugged and he held me like that for a while. We just stood there holding each other. At last.

Eventually I leaned back and smiled up into his beautiful blue eyes and said, “Hi.”  He smiled and started to apologize for being late. No worries. We’re good.

And just that simple, things settled into place. Not a worry anywhere. No concerns. I wasn’t self-conscious. I was with Chris and he would take care of everything.  This man exudes confidence, care and concern.  It’s just part of his make-up.  I don’t ever have to worry about a thing when I’m with him.  I also don’t have to be in charge.  This is HUGE for me.  I’ve been single for so long and have had to do everything for myself.  I’ve been involved in relationships where I still felt like I was “in charge” or “responsible” for most every aspect of the relationship.  I know I can trust myself to do “it”.  It’s giving that trust up to someone else that I struggle with.  But with Chris, there wasn’t even a bit of doubt.

Probably the biggest indicator of this trust I have in him is the fact that I can truly “go along” for the ride.  I trust him with all the details. And this flowed over into the trip – no plans, no worries. Chris will take care of me.  And more importantly this is now part of our relationship.  I don’t feel like I have to be in charge of planning and executing every aspect of our relationship. This isn’t to say I’m no longer the strong independent woman I’ve always been.  In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m stronger with Chris than without him.  He gives me confidence in myself.  His strength, the confidence I have in him, allows me to give up the need I have to “be in charge” and sit back and enjoy the ride.

I guess that was the theme for the rest of our amazing weekend – sit back and enjoy the ride. 

Back to the trip…We grab my bags and head out to his car.  Just before we get in, and as he’s telling me about his epic morning, apologizing profusely for his “scruffy dress”, he says, “So do you like my tires and rims?” Truthfully, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say so I just smile and nod and say “sure.” Little did I know that would be the first of like 3000 times he would ask me that question.  And ladies let me tell you, and Chris would be the first to agree with me, inside every man is a 16 year old girl!  I’m not kidding. A 16 year old girl, and instead of asking, “does this top make my eyes pop?” or “Do these jeans make my butt look too big?” and looking at themselves in every mirror they pass.  Men ask things like, “Do you like my tires and rims?” and stop to admire them EVERY SINGLE TIME they get out of the car and then talk to every single guy they meet about their tires and rims. Chris, I love you man, but you have a serious case of 16-year-old-girl-itis when it comes to your car.

So come back tomorrow for more...Next time we should actually be getting into some photos, finally!