WE PULLED IT OFFFFF!!!
3 months ago Kenzie (sister), Michael (brother), and my team hatched the idea of a surprise homecoming for my parents and on June 23rd we set the plan in motion. My parents had in their calendars my return at 2pm on Saturday, June 24th, believing that I was going to be spending an extra night in Florida with other Racers to debrief before journeying home. In reality though, I said “see you laters” to my World Race family and made my way to the American Airlines ticket counter. There, I was blessed with an early check-in. The woman behind the counter saw that my layover was only 30 minutes in Charlotte said, “Well that just won’t do!” so she set me up on an earlier flight giving me adequate time in Charlotte for Auntie Anne’s pretzel bites, a grande Pike Roast coffee from Starbucks (with whip, obviously) and a bit of movie viewing.
Upon making it to my gate, I found the flight was delayed which was a bunch of back and forth calling with my sister and potentially some tears on my end (Y’all, I just wanted to be HOME). Finally, I board my flight to good ole Des Moines, Iowa. Knowing that I was only a few hours from home, and in only having about 5 hours of sleep in the last 48-hours, I did what any Racer (or normal human) would do and took a snooze. Next thing I know, I am wheels down in the homeland and steps away from the best siblings around. Since seeing Mom and Dad only a few months prior in Nicaragua, I wanted to spend some quality time with Kenzie and Michael. Coming down the escalator to see their faces was the BEST homecoming present I could’ve received (although according to Kenzie, the flowers, sign and Culver’s dinner should be a close second).
At this point it’s almost 11pm so we drive home under the impression that our plan has been found out! DANG YOU “FIND MY FRIENDS” APP!!! My parents had been worried about where my 14 year old brother was and decided to check in. When “Des Moines International Airport” was listed as his location, you can believe that panic hit. Phone calls were made but between Michael and his buddy, Alex, they were able to convince my parents that the app was wrong and that he was still having a sleepover that night.
As we pulled into the driveway, Kenzie went in to say goodnight to Mom and Dad as Michael and I snuck upstairs. We had a sibling sleepover in my room and I deliriously ranted on the oddities of being home (flushing toilet paper, carpet, more than one pillow, comforters, clean clothes, brushing teeth with the sink water, etc.). After calming down, which really didn’t take too much time, I went to sleep for the first time in 11 months in a bed bigger than a twin and with family around me.
The next morning, we woke up promptly at 7:45am for the full family reunion. Kenzie went downstairs to scope the situation and texted us to come down…and the rest? Michael caught it all on camera which you can watch here!
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I’m beyond grateful for this family and the special reunion God had for us. It has been a life-changing 11 months apart, but if there’s anything I’ve learned about “home” I can tell you this – It’s all about your heart and the people who hold it.
Blessed that I have these people who hold my heart and love it well.
