I've been keeping a huge secret from Reese for a few months now. Rewind to somewhere around May. I got the sweetest message from our dear friends in Washington. Reese's best friend, Emma, has an amazing dad, Jeff, who was able to get three tickets to the Justin Bieber concert. When he asked her who she wanted to bring along, her answer was "Reese". Well, obviously he had to tell her that wasn't going to happen being that Reese is in IL and the concert is in WA. But when we heard of her request we started plotting a way to make it happen. We did. We bought tickets for Reese and I to go and stay with Emma and Meilina in Seattle for five days. We kept it a secret from the girls (so hard to do!). Flash forward to October 8th. I picked up Reese from school a little early. She was very inquisitive as to why but I simply told her we had something fun planned. The gig was pretty much up when we pulled up to the airport. I told her we were going on a special trip to see her Nana. That only lasted until the ticket counter when the lady checking us in said "Have a great time in Seattle". Reese's reaction:
It was such a sweet moment! We were both so excited. The flight seemed to take forever. We were anxious to get there and also to finally get to tell Emma what was going on.
Meilina picked us up from the airport and we rushed back to their house to await her arrival. Jeff had planned to drop her off so that he could be witness to the surprise. Reese hid in waiting:
When Emma finally walked in the door, Reese literally jumped into her arms. It was such an awesome moment!
And of course she was super excited to see Mr. Jeff as well. And had extra hugs for him upon learning that he was taking them to a Seattle Sounders game AND to Justin Bieber. Lucky girls!
After a night of catching up, we woke up on Saturday and had a full day planned. After visiting Emma's gymnastics class we drove to Snoqualmie Ridge where we lived before moving to Naperville. First stop was for lunch with a big group of friends. We happened to have neighbors here in IL who just moved to Seattle so they met us as well. The rest of the group Reese hasn't seen in five years. It was so much fun catching up with everyone.
Reese and Emma were very excited to reunite with their preschool teacher, Mrs. April.
We drove by our old houses (where we lived two doors down from each other) to reminisce. As we pulled up, we saw someone walk out of our old house and into Meilina's. Two women embraced on the front porch just as we would have. As she was walking back, I felt compelled to say something. I said "do you live in 6311?". She said she did and I told her that it was our old house and that Meilina used to live in the one she just came from. She said "I heard about you girls....weren't you best friends? Now I'm best friends with the girl who lives in your old house.". So there must be something pretty special about our homes. She ended up inviting us to walk through. We couldn't pass that offer up. It was so nice to see it. They hadn't changed much at all, even the paint colors. I was so glad to see that a good family lives there but it was also really sad in some ways. I miss that home and that time in our lives. It'll always hold such a special place in my heart.
On Sunday, Jeff had a huge day planned for the girls. He spoiled them rotten! They went into the city and had lunch on the pier before going to a Seattle Sounders soccer game. The games in Seattle are so amazing. When we go to a sold out Chicago Fire game we've got around 22,000 people in the stadium. Seattle has close to 68,000. They have crazy traditions, chants, and just an all around exciting atmosphere. Jeff bought the girls matching, personalized jerseys. As much as it pains me to see her in something other than red and blue....I couldn't deny how cute they looked!
They came home with scarves, hair paint, and stories of all of the fun things they were able to do that day. Reese's comment when she got home was "I just have one thing to say....Mr. Jeff is RICH!". On Monday we took the day to rest knowing that Tuesday was yet another big day. I got to see my dear friend, Shannon, and her little guy, Leo. I cannot believe I didn't get any pictures! The camera was not a priority, unfortunately.
Tuesday was probably one of the most memorable days of Reese's life. The Justin Bieber concert. I made the girls shirts to wear to the show (I ended up forgetting them at home but Kevin came to the rescue and sent them in the mail).
They left early for the concert so that they could be in the middle of all of the excitement. Once again Mr. Jeff spoiled them rotten with books, necklaces, and concert t-shirts.
They were finally able to go into the stadium and the excitement mounted for Reese. She said that she almost started to cry while standing in line for a shirt.
When the show finally started she couldn't contain herself. The waterworks started and she cried.
And cried....
And cried....
In fact, Jeff said she never stopped crying throughout the entire show. By the end she was complaining of a headache. She was so, so excited. Unfortunately the excitement turned to tears of sadness the next day when we had to leave to come back. Emma and Reese were connected at the hip the entire time we were there. They only left each others' sides to use the bathroom (thankfully!). The bond between them was such a beautiful thing to watch. It was similar to the bond I have with Meilina. So special. I'm so grateful for our time there and that Kevin was so amazing....staying home with Talan for the duration of our trip so that I could go. These moments in life are just so precious. Just as I remember the special "girl's only" trip I took with my mom, I hope Reese remembers ours for the rest of her life. I love you, Reese Nobile!
