Back in March my Bella called, missing home, and expressed her sincere disappointment that she would spend her nineteenth birthday away from me. Living a thousand miles away with rare complaint, I felt proud that she had made it seven months without a homesick spell. If she wanted her mommy there for her birthday, then by George, I'd be there. After discussing the trip with Matt (after all, I'd miss Easter weekend with him) and gaining his approval, I booked my flight!
A solid steady rain greeted me in Jacks and I was sans umbrella. I called Bell to ask if she'd like to go with me to buy one. "I left mine at home!" I explained when she answered. Then I thought for a moment and asked, "You still have one, right?"
"No, mine bent and broke from the wind during the last downpour on campus," she answered.
"You could go with me and we'll pick out a new one for you!" I said.
She paused for a moment and then said, "Mom, the girls (the dorm-mates) really want to see you."
"I want to see them too, but first why don't you run with me to Target and then go with me to the hotel, so that I can check in? They are going to eat dinner with us, right?"
"Yeah, they are." The line went quiet for a moment. "Okay. Sounds like a plan. How far away are you?"
"Twenty minutes out; I'll call you when I'm close to campus. Just run down and meet me, k?
"All right. I'll get ready. Love you."
"Love you more. See you soon!"
I circled in front of East Hall, a dull exterior that matched the grey skies, but a little rain couldn't spoil our weekend. In fact, pelting raindrops had been replaced by a cool mist that felt refreshing. Bella rushed out to the car. With car window down I hollered, "Bella-Loo! Love the glasses!"
Bella smiled brightly and popped into the seat. "Really? Do you like?" she asked.
"Love." I said.
"I bought them last night--I'm diggin' the whole hipster look."
"Me too! You look adorbs." I told her.
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| Hipster Fab! |
We seat hugged, then she gave me directions to Target.
She and I had a ball perusing the aisle's and we found a geometric maxi skirt that was just her style. I held up the skirt to her waist and exclaimed, "I'm so jealous! You'll need a smaller size, skinny B! You've definitely lost weight" I joked with her and she giggled and flashed her sweet smile. "You looked great before, but really, you look amazing.
"Thanks Mom."
After trying on a few items, she decided on the skirt and a couple of v-neck tees. Next we meandered to the umbrellas. Bella picked out the cutest umbrella hanging on the rack. Ruffled edges framed the black and white polka dot design. I opened the large umbrella inside the store and knocked on wood to counter the bad luck associated with opening one indoors. "We're probably going to get dirty looks, but we have to see how it looks when opened. Poof. Our little corner had transformed into a scene out of My Fair Lady. Bella twirled and said, "I feel like I belong in Singin' in the Rain. I've never owned one that looked like this." she said.
"No, you haven't had a parasol before, but you sure do look good standing under it." She closed it and dismissed the Proper English Lady act, quickly returning to her typical tough girl persona. Pointing the sharp end out she said, "I can also use it as a weapon!"
"Absolutely. If anyone on campus tries to bother you, stick 'em with that thing!"
"MARSI! MARSI! The girls ran out to meet us, smiles as big as Texas. Sarah B., Ali, and Sammi piled into the back seat. "We've missed you!"
"I've missed y'all! I'm so excited about our weekend! Bella's decided on BJ's for dinner-- Good?" I said as if Bella wasn't sitting in the car beside me.
"Pizookie!! Yes!" Cried Ali.
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| Sammi, Bella, Ali, and Sarah B. |
At the restaurant the girls made me laugh, sharing wacky dorm stories, while scarfing down spinach-artichoke dip appetizer. Seriously, we practically licked the bowl. We giggled at the half dressed college girl at the table behind us because she seemed to be "advertising," yet she sat with her parents and little brother. Oddly enough, she wouldn't find what she was looking for at B.J.'s. Also, new to me was the heavenly dessert served in house. Pizookie...ah, sinful Pizookie! (At B.J.'s Brewhouse a Pizookie is a cookie baked in a skillet with ice cream on top. Delish!)
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| Salted Caramel Pizookie |
The girls tried to get me to order them drinks, but failed in their efforts. However, Bell did get a sip of my Makers and Diet. "You've got two more birthdays yet." I said taking the glass from her before she drank more.
"And then you're taking me to Vegas?"
"Me too?" chimed in Ali.
"Yes, of course. How else would we spend a twenty-first birthday!"
And on that note, we sang happy birthday!
Back at the dorm the girls doled out presents. Ali sent her on a scavenger hunt (true to Ali's style she wrote the clues right before the hunt while we all sat in the dorm room and waited! LOL!) Bella discovered a Texas shaped James Avery necklace at the end of the game, and earlier Ali given her the Demi Lovato's inspirational book. Sarah R. gifted the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's record, Sarah B. presented her an adorable miniature Volkswagen Hippy Bus and Sammy gave her a super cute graphic tee. Ali started this thing where she gives a "mean" gift to the girls on their birthday, so Bella's was a music box that played Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. (Apparently, she missed the clue from Ali during a game of Taboo and hasn't been able to live it down.) I gave her a wall hanging, a mosaic Gator head (made by Chad Walker--a talented artist from work), which the girls went crazy for.
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| Sammy, Sarah B., Bella, Sarah R., and Ali |
Bella put away her gifts, and I could tell she treasured them all as she carefully placed them in sacred places. Next we played a competitive round of Taboo. Sarah B. Sarah R. and myself vs. Bella and Alli. (Unbelievably, Sammy snoozed through all of ruckus!) On my turn, I got "blind-date" and used the 2 word tactic. My clues went something like this:
Me: First Word: Um, um...he's an African American singer.
Sarah and Sarah: Michael Jackson! Drake!
Me: No! NO! Moves his head like this.... (I begin to swing my head back and forth)
Ali: Stop! That's cheating! NO MOTIONS!
S&S: What?
TIME!!
Me: Blind, and I was trying to think of that guy, you know...
Bella: Ray Charles?
Me: Yes.
Sarah: Really? Really? You could have done--two words. 1st word: blank Side. Or, don't look at the sun or you'll go blank.
Me: Oh sure. It's easy to think of clues when you aren't under pressure.
We played deep into the night, and around twelve-thirty am, I regretfully dismissed myself and the girls moved onto another game. I dragged myself back to the Hilton at the University of Florida and called it a night. We had a spa day planned for the next morning and I needed by beauty rest. :)
Visit my blog tomorrow to read about barbeque, bears, and an Easter Jew!
~Truly, Cinderella
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