Part Four- Family Day- Finally!

   Ah finally, after a long thirteen weeks it was time. These two days could easily be defined as two of the best days of my life. I left the Wednesday before family day. Ians best friend Kacie and her boyfriend were coming down for the occassion so the three of us were driving together. We had to stop at Ian's parents house to grab a few things, including our sign for the moto run! We left at around 8am, and made it to our hotel down in Beaufort, SC around 10. We hit a detour in Tennessee and it took us ages to get there. I can't even explain to you the excitement building up inside me. It was all still unreal to me. It hadn't really hit me that I would be seeing him the next day. Once we got settled in the hotel and ate it was time for us to get to bed. Obviously, I was tossing and turning all night because I couldn't sleep. I was way too anxious. My mind was going crazy. We got up at about 445am on Thursday November 19th. We had to be at the run early. On our way to Parris Island, we missed our turn and we were confused so we stopped and asked some people at the gas station. Of course, since I am the chatter box- Kacie nominated me to find someone to ask. I got out of the car, and of course I was rockin' my hoodie that said, "My boyfriend is a Marine". As soon as I stepped out of the car three men yelled to me and said, "You tell that boy Congratulations!" And I turned around to them and said, " I will, but do you know how we get to Parris Island from here? They looked at me and laughed and said, "Sweetie, Look at our hair cuts, We're Marines- of course we can get you to Parris Island" They were so funny, and they kept asking me questions about Ian and I was telling them how I wrote him every single day and I could hardly wait to see him. Then one of them said to me, "When you see him, I want you to tell him that I said to marry you." He was so sweet. I was glowing. I was proud. We finally made it to the Island and it was still pitch black outside. All you could see were the reflector belts on the recruits. It was surreal. We had the windows rolled down and you could hear all the cadences. It was powerful, and so hard to capture the moment in words.

^This is Kacie and myself with Ian's sign for the Moto Run. His dad hand drew the sign.

Ah, going off on a rant right here for a second. I promised I would explain the whole "Popeye" thing. Every since Ian was born his family called him Popeye. In a lot of his baby pictures one of his eyes were closed so that's why it kind of stuck. Then when I came along with my dark hair, I became Olive. So that has always stuck with me. It's one of the only nicknames I have ever had :) :) But that is the story behind that, and the reason why the sign has Popeye on it!

Everyone we passed was looking at our huge sign. It was the biggest sign there. We had reporters interviewing us about it. We had tons of people taking pictures with it, and of it! It was so funny. EVERYONE was staring, and we knew once Ian saw it, he would know it was for him.

Okay, okay - back to family day. I could hardly contain myself. Once the run started, we immediately spotted Ian. He ran past us, and as soon as he did he turned his head and SMILED so huge at us. The biggest smile ever. Kacie and I were jumping up and down, screaming our heads off because of it. I was in tears already. I couldn't believe all this was happening. Happiest girl alive. haha

So after the run, we waited until they would be released. During that time, I met up with all the ladies I met on the yuku site. We all instantly hugged each other and cried together. I felt like I had known them my entire life. They were family to me, and still are to this day.

This is most of my Yuku family, including Ian's family on the right. I love them all!

Alright, so Liberty ceremony can be defined as the most anxious moment of my life. I was sitting next to Ians family, and one of my best friend I met on the site. Her and I were holding hands, and as soon as the Marines came in, we were still holding hands and still crying. As soon as they were released, I kind of hesitated for a second and looked at his parents so the could go run to him first, but his dad looked at me and said, "Go get him girl!!" And I ran so fast to him. I was dodging people, chairs, random flying objects. Then there he was, and I latched on to him like a baby monkey and held him so tight. I felt whole again. I was absolutely complete and I didn't want to let him go. I misssed him so much.

So after all that commotion, we were able to spend a few hours with him there on the base. I wanted to badly to run away with him, to kidnap him right there and take him away with me. He showed us around the entire place. I got to see where he slept, where he kept his things, the post office box where he dropped all my letters in, just everything. I was in his world the past thirteen weeks. It was so much to take in.

When we were in the barracks he pulled out this huge thing of letters

 and I was like "Wow are those all the letters you got while you were here?!" (It was the hugest stack ever!) And he laughs and goes, "Oh no, these are JUST from you!" Haha I told you guys I was dedicated. I wrote every day, sometimes even twice a day!

Some more pictures for your enjoyment :) :)

I did not want the day to be over, but in a way I did so I could get him out of there after graduation the next time. But, I wanted more time with him. I wanted so bad to kiss him and kiss him and kiss him some more. But I knew he couldn't. I wanted so badly to just HOLD his hand. I wanted his fingers intertwined with mine. But again, I knew I had to wait. I waited this long already, ONE more day wouldn't kill me.

When I got back to the hotel room that night, I cried. I was once again, so happy that all my body knew to do was cry. I felt crazy for a minute or two that I was actually sobbing, but I was happy- so unbelievably happy.

(I am not sure why this format looks all choppy and for the life of me it won't seem to cooperate, sorry!)