All I Post About Is Colorado

Maybe that will change one day, maybe it won't. I've been so busy these past few weeks at school and I barely find time to call my mom let alone write. Now that midterms (I can't believe this quarter is already half way done) are over, hopefully I'll be able to post more, because I really do miss blogging. The holidays are coming and I'm almost positive that there's nothing better to post about than the holidays.

Anyways, about a month ago I went to Colorado to visit my hunky man. Colorado is absolutely beautiful in the fall. We don't get said seasons in good ol' Southern California so I took about 85 pictures of the foliage.

USAFA's pretty in the fall 

One of my friends picked me and a few other girls up from the airport. We all met last year because their boyfriends go to the Academy as well. We went out to lunch while our guys were at practices or class. After lunch, we headed over to the base and I met Steven down at the baseball field. I never realize how much I missed him until I see him again. We met up with Steven's friends from the baseball team that night for dinner along with their girlfriends. We went to a delicious Italian restaurant and had so much fun talking and laughing. After dinner, S and I went to get frozen yogurt, just the two of us, because what is a date with out it?

Obviously we had to share the cup, we can't be separated in anyway when we get to be together

The next day, Steven had a baseball game. Luckily, it was one of the warmer days so sitting outside wasn't so bad. I had a huge blanket and about 3 jackets on which may have been the reason that I could bear it. The game didn't go as he planned...I honestly believe that I'm either bad luck or that he gets nervous in my presence, because the games I go to, well we'll just leave it at that.

A beautiful selfie of me in out in the cold 

That night, we had dinner at a cute little cafe and then decided to drive an hour to a corn made and pumpkin patch. We had the best time driving there. I couldn't wipe the smitten smile off my face the entire time, that boy makes me so happy. And he had me cry laughing with the new accent he's acquired at the Academy with all those Texan fellas. He claims he doesn't have one but when he stated that he "hates Jimmy Johns" (It's a sandwich chain..who knew? Not me) he sounded like he was straight from Austin.

We were driving along back roads for a while and when we finally reached the corn maze I'd be lying if I said we weren't a little skeptical. It was completely dark in the middle of a neighborhood that had absolutely no street lights. Despite the lack of lights, the parking lot was packed with cars, so we faced our fear of the dark and got out of the car to ask around. We were directed down the street and you turn a corner and all of a sudden there's the cutest pumpkin patch you've ever seen. With admission, you got to go in the corn maze and take home a pumpkin. Steven and I went in the corn maze first. It was seriously so much fun. I was a little nervous at first because it was totally dark in there, but having a cute guy holding your hand the entire time makes one feel a little safer. We got lost in the maze for about an hour and we were just so happy to be together. After the corn maze, we picked out our pumpkins and drank the homemade apple cider they were selling. It was a perfect night.

The next day, Steven had another game but because he wasn't playing, I opted out and instead got coffee and shopped with my friend Aly. We headed over to the Academy after to catch the kickoff of her boyfriend's soccer game. Halfway through the first half, Steven called and said he was done already. Funny how fast the game goes when you aren't sitting through it, huh? We went back and changed clothes and then took a self guided tour around the Springs. We shopped and ate the best dinner ever. We ended our last night at the movies which was super relaxing. We held hands and talked the rest of the night about the future and life in general. It was bittersweet knowing that I was leaving in the morning.

My handsome steak eating American man 

After breakfast, Steven had to drive me to the airport. Walking inside and watching him over my shoulder is always the worst feeling, knowing that I won't see him for another 40 days. But, now that we're only 10 days away from our next reunion, it doesn't seem so bad. I'm so grateful for our perfect weekend!

Parent's Weekend {round 2}

I've been on such a blogging hiatus. I moved back to Santa Barbara for school and I've been so busy with recruitment for Alpha Phi and school starting that I've had no time to blog (that's the excuse I'm going with right now, anyways. I know I was pretty absent all summer but don't worry, that's about to change). Anyways, I finally want to tell y'all about Parent's Weekend at the Academy that happened oh you know, over a month ago, before I get to see him again this weekend! Better late than never right? ;)

The sunset from DIA on Thursday 

I flew in with Steven's mom and sister on Thursday night. It's always the worst when I know I won't get to see him until the next day! Friday morning finally arrived though. As excited as I was to see him, I didn't get the same crazy emotional feeling driving into the Academy like I did the first time around but I liked that I didn't. Everything felt familiar which was comforting. I didn't feel anxious and nervous and I knew that I would be seeing my man in just a few minutes and I was so happy about that. We met Bubs at the chapel, the same spot as last year, although we were a little bit late this time around. While we were waiting for Steven to come get us, Steven's mom, sister, and I talked about how different and relaxed it felt this time and we all agreed that it was a much more enjoyable feeling. Since we were running late to Steven's first class, when we first saw him we exchanged quick hugs and kisses and power walked to his first class. I was so happy to be holding his arm again. I always forget how much I miss that.

Classes are always fun to go to. The professor tries to explain the class to the parents/siblings/girlfriends but to be honest I was always too busy staring at my hunk of a boyfriend or doodling on Steven's computer to really pay attention. I mean can you blame me? He's so cute. After classes, we went to the parade. It's not a parade that most of you would expect, they all just march around with their flags. It's not really my favorite part of the day and I know that it's not Steven's either. Then, we ate lunch with Steven's squadron. I love all of the friends Steven has in his squad so it was fun to see them and their families too. After lunch, we stopped by the cadet store before we headed down to the baseball field. We visited with Steven's baseball team and I met some of the other baseball girlfriends. We made plans with a few of the sophomore pitchers on the team to go out to dinner that night. When we left the Academy, we realized that we were all starving and there was no way that we were going to be able make it until dinner without getting hangry (angry because of hunger, of course). So, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and shopped around for things that Steven needed for his room. I really love just doing normal things with Bubs when I go to see him. It's nice to feel like a normal couple who takes a quick trip to Target to get some new socks.

After that, we went back to the hotel and went in the jacuzzi before we went to dinner. We relaxed and watched half a movie, it was really nice to just cuddle and unwind before we met up with everyone else. We went to Texas Roadhouse around 9 with the team. I'd never been before and it was so much fun. I ate probably 87 rolls with cinnamon butter that was absolutely to die for. So when the meal arrived I ate about 2 bites of it. Luckily there were 6 baseball playing men who finished it off easily for me, so none went to waste. I had a blast getting to know Steven's teammates a little more. They're all sweet and funny and such good friends with each other. I secretly want to set all my friends up with them, but that's between y'all and me. We went back to the hotel after dinner and watched a movie. Well Steven, his mom and sister watched a movie. I cannot stay awake in a movie if I'm tired or laying down, so I was out in 2 seconds.

Saturday was the football game. Everyone at the Academy tailgates before the game so it's like a giant party in the parking lot. We went to Steven's squad tailgate and the baseball tailgate. We had a blast. The game was insanely hot and I may or may not have had a giant tan on my chest from the necklace I was wearing, but AF won and it was a good day. True to Colorado weather, the game started off blazing hot with the sun beating down, and by the end of the game we were all running to our cars because it was raining. You never know what you're going to get when it comes to weather in Colorado. After the game, we went out to a fun burger place with Steven's friend and his family and the rest of the night we did basically the same thing as the night before. It was perfect.

Sunday we went white water rafting in the Royal Gorge. I had never been before so I was a little nervous when we were on our way there, but we had an absolute blast. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. The rapids weren't too high because it was late in the season, but they were definitely high enough to have a few scary we're-going-to-flip moments. The weather was also hot in the morning and then a thunderstorm hit and we were rafting in the rain. It didn't matter much though because we were all already wet. The only things that got absolutely freezing were my fingers. So, when we stopped for a little break, I warmed them up on Steven's neck. He's like my personal heater, how sweet of him. My favorite part was when we say a mama deer and her baby on the side of the river. It was so cool to see and they just hung out there as we passed them. I loved it. That night we were all exhausted! We went out to a fun dinner and came back and fell right asleep. It was a really fun day. 

I don't have any pictures from our trip, but this is what it looked like most of the time!  Absolutely beautiful, right? 

We spent our last day with Steven getting things that he needed for his upcoming year. He got a new refrigerator and we stocked him up right before we left. It was a nice and relaxing last day. Although our last day is usually a little bit sad, we tried to keep our spirits high and enjoy every second up until the last with each other. We went to the visitor center before we headed out and Bubs bought me the cutest long sleeved AF shirt. I wear it all the time already. After that, we said our goodbyes, always with tears in my eyes. I hate leaving him, but knowing that I would get to see him in only a month made the goodbye a little bit easier. All around it was an amazing weekend spent with some of my favorite people! 

(Because everyone needs frozen yogurt to cheer them up after leaving their boyfriend.)

Parent's Weekend {round 1}

The USAFA Chapel

I spent this past weekend in Colorado with S and his family for our second Parent's Weekend! We had an absolute blast, as always. I thought that I'd share a little about our first Parent's Weekend last year so y'all can see how special this weekend is for us every year! 

Five days after we graduated high school, Steven left for Basic Cadet Training. My heart broke watching him drive away, knowing that I wasn't going to be able to see him until Labor Day, the longest we had ever gone without talking and seeing each other. The days dragged on and I was constantly missing him. We wrote dozens and dozens of letters back and forth to each other but my heart still wished we could be

                        together. 

Finally after what seemed like decades, I was boarding my plane to Colorado. To say I was ecstatic is a huuuge understatement. When I landed, I met up with his parents. We couldn't see S that night and being in the same state as him without being with him pretty much felt like torture. My excitement caused me to get probably 3 hours of sleep that night, but I could have cared less.

Steven's sister and I were sooo excited! 

Our first look! Love a man in uniform ;) 

The next morning we headed to base around 6:45 to meet up with Steven before his first class. We planned our meeting spot at the gorgeous chapel right above the Cadet Area. While waiting for him to arrive I could not stand still. I was nervous, excited, anxious and so so so happy that I was minutes away from seeing him. We finally saw him walking up to us and to be honest, emotions got the best of me and I don't really remember much after that. The next thing I knew I was in his arms trying not to cry. We kissed and my heart felt fuller than it had in months. Eventually we let go of each other so Steven could greet his parents too. 

After our sweet reunion, we were allowed to attend Steven's classes. It was so awesome being able to experience what a normal school day was like for him. There was a parade that the entire Cadet Wing marched in later that morning, and we ate lunch in Mitchell Hall just like he does everyday. That afternoon we met Steven's baseball team and coaches. After that, S was free to go for the weekend except that he had to be back for the football game the next morning. We went to see a movie and had a fun dinner out. We headed back to the hotel early and we lounged around, and talked about everything that we had missed in each other's lives the past few months. It was one of the most perfect days ever.

The Parent's Weekend parade

The next day we went to the Air Force football game all together. We tailgated before the game with Steven's squadron and his baseball team. I hadn't been to many college football games before this one, so I had a great time. After the game, we went to the visitor center to look at some of the USAFA merchandise. S bought me what is now my favorite sweatshirt. 

Squadrons on the field 

Wings of Blue performance which was so cool! 

The rest of the weekend we spent visiting with Steven, eating, and watching movies. We played mini golf and bought things that S needed for his room, but we basically just tried to soak up all the time that we got with him. Steven and I held hands, cuddled and kissed every second that we possibly could to make up for the time that we had lost. I was nervous before seeing him that he was going to be different and that it would change the way we worked. He was different, but nothing between us changed. He was more confident and mature, but he was the same sweet guy that I had fallen in love with. 

The USAFA Chapel

The terazzo 

When it finally came time to leave, saying goodbye was really hard. I felt like I was leaving a part of me in Colorado. But, being apart has strengthened our relationship in ways that I couldn't have even imagined. I'm still so proud and in love with that hunk! ;)