Wednesday 13 February 2013

Meeting the Family.


I finally got to meet Mike's family over the Christmas holidays. To say I was nervous about this trip would have been an understatement. Meeting the family is a huge deal and I wanted everyone to like me so much that I wound myself up into bit of a frenzy. I was so focused on this trip I kind of forgot about Christmas. But I still had an absolutely amazing Christmas day.

This time I managed to get a little bit of sleep before I had to wake up to catch my bus. Armed with my new suitcase from Santa I was ready to go. I ended up getting to the airport about 5 hours before my flight as that was the only bus available but I quite liked it, it meant I didn't have to rush or panic.

When it came to boarding the plane the flight attendant scanned my boarding pass and the computer started beeping...queue panic! Then I got told I had been upgraded to First Class...queue excitement!
It made the flight to Toronto even better. I even got to board the plane first (simple things).  When I got to my seat I pressed every single button I could find and just went back and forth and up and down on my seat for about 10 minutes seeing what it could do. My TV was huge! And I got a huge pillow and a super thick blanket so I managed to sleep like a baby for about 3 hours, not until I had a 3 course meal and so many drinks I had to go to the toilet 3 times. I watched The Vow (and cried) Magic Mike and a film about bike couriers in New York which was really good. I have always wondered what first class was like and now Ive experienced it I can see why people pay for those tickets, especially on long flights. Personally I would never pay for the ticket but if they offer me more free upgrades I will definitely be taking them. And I might even start to put my name down on the reserve list...just in case.

My luck had to even out at some time and it came quickly. I had to wait for aaaages for my bags in Toronto then go through customs before dropping my bag off, then I had to go through security again, then get to my gate which was miles away. I had to go and talk to a steward in the queue for customs because it was so long I was going to miss my flight so I got to skip the queue, but it still meant I had to literally sprint to get to my gate in time. I spent a little while getting ready before I left the house so I would be looking good when I met his family, but I shouldn't have bothered. I was so gross and sweaty by the time I got to the gate, I needed another shower. When I did get to the gate though my flight had been delayed because of a storm that was coming in. So I didn't need to rush at all. I did do my good deed for the day though and I bought a lady who I had seen running to the gate a bottle of water, cause she was in the same state as me when we got there.

I always meet Mike at the baggage claim, this time meeting up with him could have easily been in a movie. As I was coming down the escalator to get my baggage he was walking towards me. It was cute! I was giggling and feeling like a movie star. 

I quickly had to pull myself together cause his Mum was waiting outside to drive us back to their house. My heart was pounding so fast. All I could think was 'please like me, think before you speak' But as soon as I gave his mum a hug I relaxed, she was so nice! really friendly and super pretty. She has gorgeous hair, I said to Mike later, 'your mum is super pretty'. Her hair is a lot like mine but shorter and and she has more defined curls. Mike only lives about 15 minutes away from the airport, which could not be more different to me. I have a 3 hour journey to get to the airport. So after a super quick ride we pulled up to his house and I met his family. I walked into the living room and there was his dad, 3 sisters and 2 of their boyfriends. Its was so scary, but it went well. Pretty much straight away I opened my Christmas presents from them. I thought I would have 1 present but I ended up having about 10! I am the worst present opener. I dont want to go over the top and say how much I like the present cause it can easily seem fake but then I sometimes play it down too much like im ungrateful and dont like it. I got the nicest presents though! I was very spoilt.

Day 2: I am the worst morning person I know. I hate getting up and am always late. But I knew I couldn't be while I was out there. So I made sure I set my alarm super early to get up and be ready. Mid morning some family friends came over and we played a bunch of games. It was real fun. It reminded me a lot of what my family does on boxing day. I even won a game :) I won a game called Farkle. It was nice to finally meet more people Mike has talked about and now be able to put faces to names. In the afternoon, Mikes youngest sister had a basketball game. Mike used to coach the boys basketball team in the school and last season they won the State Championship. This was going to be the first time he had seen them all since he left for his job in California. I felt like I was dating a celebrity we walked into the school and everyone was like "Hey Coach Mike' I think every single person there waved or shouted out to him or came up and hugged him. It was crazy but so nice to see how many people liked Mike and missed him. After the game we went and ate in Cheddars which was real nice. I struggled with their HUGE portion sizes! After that we went home, watched TV then went bed.

Day 3: Mike's uncle own a chain of restaurants so for lunch we went and ate there. The food was sooo good. There was a football table there too so me and Mike got our butt's whooped by his sister and her boyfriend. In his restaurant people decorate dollar bills and then pin them on the wall. The place is covered in them, they are hanging from the ceiling its really cool.  I made a CYMRU one and Mike being the cute sweet boyfriend he is made one saying ML + AJ = (then drew a heart) bless his cotton socks. 

He has a few restaurants dotted around so check out his website and if your nearby pop in for some amazing food.


After we all stuffed ourselves silly we went to a jewellery store called Charming Charlie's. One of Mike's sisters kindly bought me a gift card for the shop so obviously I had to go and spend it. I could easily have spent a lot of money in that shop. There was so much gorgeous jewellery, and lovely clothes there too. I had to stop myself from buying more, because I knew I would struggle on my weight limit going home.
When we got home we watched Pitch Perfect. I liked it, I laughed a lot. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be, but I would watch it again. 
In the night Mike took me to Oppryland. It is a ginormous hotel that they decorate with thousands of christmas lights. It was stunning! We walked around there for hours, it was boiling hot in there though. I wore boots and my feet were so sweaty by the end of it. It was so pretty there though, I walked around with my mouth open for a lot of it. We walked past a few college football players (american football not soccer) they were big guys! Im used to being around tall men, Mike is 6 ft 3 and my brother is 6ft 2 so I didn't find them that tall, but they were built, they were so muscly! I dont fancy running into any of them. After walking around for hours we went home, and I jumped straight into bed. 

Day 4: All of Mike's family is super athletic and really into their fitness, so I was very nervous when Mike's sisters asked me if I wanted to go along with them to a Kickboxing class. I just hoped I could keep up and didn't keel over exhausted. It was so much fun. I laughed a lot! We all struggled a little with our coordination which made for a few funny moments laughing at each other. We had to run around the bag in circles at one stage then keep changing direction. I got so dizzy I had to shut my eyes and stand still for a while. We also had to do various combinations of punches and kicks and dips, we all had a few whopsies and got confused. But it was good fun. I was nice and rosy when we left. I could defiantly seeing me doing those classes regularly, if only we have them were where I live.

Later in the day we went to the Mall to do some shopping :) I really really wanted to get a purse while I was out there and Mike's Mum recommended Vera Bradley. They do gorgeous purses with really colourful patterns so I found one I loved and being the lucky girlfriend I am Mike kindly bought it for me. Then the shopping focus turned on Mike. He wanted some dress shirts for work, so I think we went into every suit shop there, and after first guessing Mike's sizes then finally getting measured we managed to find 3 or 4 really nice shirts and ties. He looked very handsome and smart. Before we headed back home I had an amazing sub from Charlie's it was so yummy! Im definitely going to remember about that place for my next visit. 

That night Mike's sister had another basketball game so we went to support her. All of Mike's grandparents go and watch the games so I got to meet them. They were so friendly I got on with them all so well. They made me call them granny and granddad, grandma and grandaddy big bob which was so cute. They were super funny and Mike's granny shouts the funniest things during the games. I got to tick off another fast food restaurant after the game, we went to Chick - fil a. Its might be my favourite so far. Later that night we drove through a light show. Apparently you were meant to tune your radio to a station and the lights would flash to the music, but we couldn't figure out the station so just drove through it without the music. It was really pretty. There was a man dressed up as Santa half way around so we had a quick chat to him, and then a man dressed up as a snowman danced for us. They must have been absolutely freezing! On the way home we stopped off and bought a ice cream cake and then watched home video's of Mike when he was little. He was super cute, he was dancing and singing. His dance moves have not improved! I love seeing baby pictures and video's I could watch them all day. His family loved showing me them too, I dont know if Mike was quite so happy about it.

Day 5: When Mike is back home every Sunday he goes with his Granddad and Uncle to watch the Titans play. So I went and watched a game with Mike, his Mum and Granddad. I wrapped up warm because I had been warned of how cold it was, and no matter how cold it gets or how bad the titans are loosing or how much they are winning by Mike's granddad stays until the final whistle. Apparently the game wasn't good, but I didn't know the difference between a good game and a bad game so I enjoyed it. Until the 3rd quarter we were sat in the sun, so by the end of the game I had caught a lovely tan on the right hand side of my face. They had the craziest mascot, I dont even know what animal it was. But at one stage it came out walking on his hands. I was so impressed until Michael told me that the man had just put it on upside down. Completely ruined the moment for me. Im so glad I can now say I've been to see a game. Im slowly understanding the game more. I just find it so start stop that I loose interest. 

On the way home we stopped off in a few stores to try and find Mike some suit trousers and a blazer. Later that night Mike cooked me some potato skins and we all sat around and played Farkle. I didn't really understand it. It was like yhatzee but not at all. Anyway I think I lost, it was fun though. I absolutely love playing board games. My family used to play a lot when I was growing up. I am the current Snap and Domino's champion. In my house I think we have every single monopoly ever made. We normally get one every christmas, play it once then put it away with the others until the next year. 

Day 6: I was so excited for today. I had seen pictures of Mike's sisters in this place on facebook so was really looking forward to go. Its called Sky High, and basically they have a tonne of trampolines and you just go and bounce around and they have a dodgeball court with trampolines you play on, and also a foam pit you can flip and jump into. 

It was a lot of fun, after a hour we were all shattered. Mikes sisters were all doing flips and things, i was just merrily jumping up and down, last time I tried to flip I ended up kneeing myself in the face and giving myself a fat lip so I did not want a repeat of that. I also showed up how bad Brits are at dodgeball. I was terrible. Ive actually got a good throwing arm but the balls they use are foam so I cant grip them right, so most games I ended up getting knocked out by one of the younger kids who were playing with us. One of Mike's good friends surprised his family and joined us there. He showed no mercy what so ever and was pelting these kids with the balls. He definitely has a competitive side like Mike. 
All that bouncing around made us work up a huge appetite so it was only fitting we had a HUGE meal to satisfy us. So we went and got a jacket potato from a place near Mike's house called Whit's Barbecue  It was possibly the biggest potato I'e ever seen. I was determined not to let it beat me though, but with only 2 mouth fulls left I had to give in. It was just too much. But it was so tasty. I will definitely have another one of those when I go back. 

Day 7: I am not the greatest with names, so today was a challenge. All of Mike's Dad side of the family came over for food and to watch the football. Its a family tradition they have. I was doing good with the names for the first 10 people that came but when there was around 30 I completely lost track. Everyone again was so friendly! I think I was asked possibly the strangest question I've been asked to date which was 'do you have cell phones in Wales' and 'Do you have cows in Wales'. Part of me wanted to say no what are those but I couldn't do that. It did made me giggle, and Mike too who was sat beside me sniggering. 
There was so much food there!! I've heard a lot of good things about all the food Mikes family cooks so I was very eager to try it all. His Mum's brownies were incredible. I ended up eating them for breakfast! There was a whole table of deserts so I went and picked up every single thing that was chocolate and ate it all. A few people noticed and commented that I would fit well with my sweet tooth. It was a really nice morning, I watched more American football in that one morning than I have in my entire life. Its nice to see and be a part of all his family traditions. 

In the evening I got to meet some of Mike's old school and college friends. We went to a pub and did a quiz. Its such a British thing I was shocked. Pubs here always have pub quiz's so I was super excited for that as well as meeting them all. I thought maybe my quiz history would help me but it did not one tiny little bit. However we still ended up winning :) Apparently we were lucky charms and could go back anytime. We'll have to take them up on that. They told me a few stories about Mike from his school days which are always fun to hear. It's strange not knowing all those things. Yes he's told me about it. But I find it strange that I only met him 3 years ago and I never got to see him when he was in school and playing basketball and seeing what he was like when he was younger. 
When we got home, Mike showed me some more old photo albums. There was one full of newspaper cuttings of his basketball games, which was exciting. Now I have to believe him when he said he was good. 

Day 8: A girlie day!! I had been wanting to see the last Twilight for aaages. But had never got round to watching it, but neither had Mikes sisters and Mum so we finally went and watched it. It was good, the ending had a huge twist that shocked us all, but we all loved it. Once we left we went and bought some ice cream, I had a brownie in mine and loads of other chocolate it was good. But even their ice cream tubs are massive. I really dont know what they would make of our portion sizes over here, they would be shocked. 
Our girlie day continued into the afternoon when me and 2 of Mikes sisters went and got pedicures. It was the first one I've ever had and I really enjoyed it. I had to bit my thumbs to stop me laughing when the lady scrubbed my feet. It tickled so badly, the lady was laughing at me. Im sure she gets it a lot though. But what made me laugh more was one of the ladies doing one of Mike's sisters feet put on her flip flops! We didn't know what to do, me and Mikes other sister were laughing our heads off. We couldn't figure out how she would be able to ask for her flip flops back. 'Uh scuse me, you seem to be wearing my shoes'. I said we should leave then she should walk back in and say 'I've left my flip flops here, they look a lot like the ones your wearing?' She managed to get them back though, but it gave us something to laugh about for a while after. 
I was nervous about Mike's sisters liking me, but I couldn't have been more wrong. We got on so well. I thought I'd be shy but I found them so easy to talk to and we laughed a lot. I found it so easy and nice to just sit and talk to them all. I really think I could open up and talk to them about anything and I hope they feel the same back. Ive always wanted a sister, and now I pretty much have 3 its great! 
Thats evening Mike's dad grilled some steaks for us and Mike's mum cooked delicious potatoes  That Mike and I have tried to make but no where near as successfully. I went back for seconds, and then thirds. It was my favourite meal the whole time I was there. 
One of Mike's favourite films growing up was Land Before Time. Ive never seen it, so in the night we sat down and watched it. I can't believe I havent seen it, or if I have I cant remember it. He still remembered all the character's names and a few of the lines. It was cute.

Day 9: I got to lie in which was so nice, all them early mornings had caught up with me. Today was the day I had been looking forward to most out of the whole trip. In the afternoon, Mike and his sisters go back to their old high school and play in Alumni Basketball games. Alumni for all of us Brits and non Americans are people who used to go to that school and graduated from there. Its all lighthearted and all done for fun, however they all still want to win and try to hide their competitiveness. Mike's sisters played first and were on opposite teams which was interesting to watch. Then it was Mike's turn! All of his boys he coached last year were in the stands watching so I think he was a little nervous. He said he played terrible and was disappointed but I loved watching him play. I've heard and seen so much about how good he is it was nice to actually see it for my own eyes. And if he thought he did bad, it just means I'll have to go and watch him play some more. After the game we went and got some Fro Yo (frozen yoghurt). I didn't though, I'm really not keen on it, I think it has a strange after taste, only the real stuff for me. 
When we got back to the house I watched Mike's senior DVD. It was lovely! Then we watched Derren Brown. He's a British magician/ mind master. He does lots of crazy shows, tricks and hypnotises people to try and do lots of social experiments. Its very very interesting, Mike and I love it and have watched nearly all of his shows. Some are creepy but most of them just blow your mind how he does all of those things. 

Day 10: Home day :( 
I told myself not to get emotional and cry infront of his family. But I failed.... miserably. After a nice lunch with Mike's grandparents it was time to say goodbye to Mike's dad and 2 of Mike's sisters. I was doing so well until I saw his dad cry. That set me off! Im such a big baby, if I see other people cry I cry. I didn't get to say half of the stuff I wanted to and thank them for everything. Instead I just hugged them and scurried off. NOT COOL! Then we went to Mike's school to say goodbye to his youngest sister and Mum. Again I cried when his Mum started crying. Its when they ask the question 'When do you think you'll be back' or 'When are you going to see Mike again' that I normally cry. Cause the answer is I dont know. If I had a date then I would be okay, cause I would be able to look forward to that and have something to work towards. But not knowing is horrible. 
Once I got to the airport the fun and games started. My flight got delayed, so I went up to the desk and they told me that therefore I would miss my connecting flight and then my bus when I landed back the UK. They were brilliant about it all. They quickly booked me onto another flight and I was all good to go. After a very emotional goodbye with Mike I made my way to my boarding gate, to hear my name being called out over the loud speaker. So I went up to the desk to find out what was wrong and they told me that the flight I had been put onto was fully booked. So they moved me again to another plane which was boarding there and then. So I jumped onto that plane and headed home. On the way home I managed to finish the book I had become engrossed in, Safe Haven. When we were watching Twilight the trailer for this came on and we all got very excited. If the film is as good as the book it is going to be brilliant. I would love to go and watch his with his family but I doubt that will be able to happen which is a shame. Still Im very excited for it to come out over here. I managed to get a few hours sleep on the way home which was good. Once I landed I made my way to the bus stop to get my bus home to find out I had booked the bus for the wrong month! oopsie! So after buying a new ticket and waiting an extra hour I was finally heading home. 

I had the best trip. After all that panic and worry it turned out to be so easy and SO much fun. Mike has the nicest family and I got on so well with everyone. They couldn't have been more welcoming and friendly, I was sad to leave them all. I realised when I got home, that I didn't take a single picture with his family! I was so disappointed all my friends and family were so eager to see all my pictures so I was disappointed I didn't have any. It just means I'll have to go back and get loads of pictures, hopefully one day soon.