Michigan!

CantonMichigan, Here we go!
So exactly one week after my visit to Beaufort, SC, I find myself sitting in an airplane on my way to Detroit. Jim strategically planned his boot camp graduation for exactly one week before his sister's wedding. THANK GOD HE FINISHES ON TIME. I don't think a Parris Island DI could even come close to rivaling bride or a bride's mother!
I worked a half day at Candlewood Suites, Va Beach and Jim and I departed for the airport around 3:30ish on Wed. Oct. 10. Our 5:15 flight was delayed until 5:50 so; we had plenty of time to kill--not to mention we had been re-routed. Our original itinerary led us to Newark--then to Detroit--the new schedule had us routed through Cleveland (WOAH Indians fans!) then to Detroit. We didn't really have a problem with this change since it had us arriving into Detroit about 45 minutes sooner than our original plans. HOWEVER...things change and delays happen and we wound up arriving late anyhow. We had a royal Michigan welcome from the entire Shelton crew--and of course many beers were enjoyed by all. We met Jim's sister, twin brother, soon-to-be-brother-in-law, and cousin at the bar before we headed back to Melissa's place to crash, thus beginning our whirlwind of a trip to MI.
Day 2: We woke early--went to Mom and Dad Shelton's house and enjoyed good company and great food. I took Mom shopping for make-up, picked up a new outfit for Jim (after boot camp his clothes were too big) and just did make it back to her house to a frenzy of people dressing and showering for the rehearsal dinner that night. We made it to the church, had the rehearsal and then headed to Dave's parent's house for a taco dinner. Note to all men: If the rehearsal dinner is being hosted at someone's house--please inform your girlfriend not to wear a formal dress with 3.5" heels. :o) Note: to my fellow Virginians: IT IS FREEZING IN MICHIGAN IN OCTOBER--take warm clothes--lots of warm clothes.
Day 3: Oct. 12--one day until the wedding. This is where I get to pick on Jim. This man, whom I love dearly, takes longer to get ready than any other human on the face of the planet Earth. Now complicate this getting ready ordeal with the fact that, not only is he being required to wear a tux to the actually ceremony--but he also is being required to where his *new* dress blues to the reception. (Don't ask me---this was not my idea--I thought the reception was for letting loose--not buttoning up--I was sorely mistaken) So, $125 for the tux and about $200 for the Blues--you do the math--my dress cost a mere fraction of his nightly attire. So, back to Friday--I was sick--the kinda sick that crawls all over your body and makes you ache--yet you feel ok enough to get through your daily duties and Jim had to get a haircut and "prepare" his uniform for the next day. Jim's 2 cousins, Jacob and Brian were also wearing dress blues to the reception. SO...while the boys were playing Marine Dress Up--Kristen and Mom watched the DVR'ed Grey's Anatomy and reclined in the living room. Later in the day I took a look at my throat and when I saw nasty little white spots on my tonsils--I decided that it might be a good idea to "get thee to a hospital." We were at St. Mary's for a good 3-4 hours and yes, it is true--I had the nasty Strep throat. The doc hooked me up with the Z-pak and sent me on my way.
Day 4: THE WEDDING. Getting ready in a house full of women isn't always the easiest task. There were a good dozen ladies in one house. Curling irons were burning, make-up brushes were flying; dresses were hanging all over the house. The scene could easily be confused with the backstage of any Broadway show. I was in charge of make-up--I knocked out about 5 faces in an hour--including my own--not bad for a day's work. We took the party bus to the church and met up with our fellas. The wedding was beautiful--the bride was stunning and my Jim was as handsome as ever. Pictures took 5 million years, as usual and we were back on the party bus having some adult beverages and on our way to the reception. This is of course after Jim's much anticipating costume change. (Seriously, it only took him a good 45 min to change from the tux to the dress blues.)
Now--I will be the first one to admit that being the date of someone in the bridal party is NOT always the most fun. Your date is at the head table and you are sitting with their relatives and trying to be cute and funny. It is a job in itself. A few Capn' and diets later and it definitely helps take the edge off. So--my dear boyfriend who has not consumed alcohol in quite some time (remember, he was at boot camp) decides that Sprite and Jim Beam are a perfect combination and is drinking like a champ! When he started introducing me as his "really hot girlfriend, Kristen" I knew the buzz had kicked in! We had a blast that night and it ended with a bang.
Once we returned to the hotel, Jim, who is not really good at keeping secrets, surprised me with the most beautiful diamond engagement ring. He said some really amazing things--which I will keep to myself :o) and asked me to marry him. It was really sweet--and under the advice of my best friend, Niccole, he waited until Melissa's special day was over before he popped the question. We waited until the next morning to tell our families and immediately our hotel room was flooded with Michigan relatives with showers of congratulations.
We spent the next day enjoying family and spending quality time with the Michigan folks. Monday, Oct 15--we flew back into Norfolk, picked up our car at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and returned home. Jim had to pack his gear because the next day we were driving to Jacksonville, NC to drop him off at CampGeiger for his MCT training.
CampGeiger was about 4 hours away and it was a sad trip. Newly engaged and not being able to spend any more time together was not so much fun. He reported for duty at 1:00pm and I headed back to Va Beach to find a bed and get a good night's rest!
Jim will spend 22 days completing MCT and then flies to 29 Palms, CA for his MOS training. I officially get him back in January 2008. Hopefully--fingers crossed--he will get time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
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Boot Camp

My latest trip took me to a place I didn't think I would ever visit again, Beaufort, SC. My first trip to Beaufort was in 1997 when I attended Hargrave Military Academy. We visited Parris Island (Beaufort) to have a workshop with the Marine Corps Band. Little did I know that 10 years later I would be visiting again to see my boyfriend graduation from Marine Boot Camp.
My boyfriend, Jim, after attaining a college degree, working for several years, moving to Virginia Beach made a now or never decision to join the Marine Corps Reserves. Reservists are required to receive the exact training as active duty. Therefore, our newest journey together took him to Parris Island and left me in Virginia Beach for 3 months. No phone calls, no internet, no email, just plain ol' snail mail. I do have to say that only corresponding by written letters allowed us to explore elements of our relationship unknown to either of us. There is something inherently romantic about the soldier writing home to his girl and the selflessness of his actions to put duty first to serve and protect his loved ones.

Enough of the mushiness! So my trip began on October 3, 2007 at approximately 7:00pm. Why so late" I had previously committed to sponsoring a golf tournament for my job atCandlewood Suites, Virginia Beach. My friend and co-worker Katie (from the Crowne Plaza Hotel) and I were not able to leave the tournament any sooner than 4:45pm--hence the delay in travel.
So...I arrive home to the Dads. Jim's father had traveled from Canton, MI (a 13 hour trip for him by car) and my father had traveled that morning from Danville, VA (a 3.5 hour trip). The Dads of course were packed and ready to go--I, on the other hand, being a seasoned traveler and last minute Liz, still had to pack! To make a long story short--15 minutes of packing, stopping to get gas, and grabbing a sub sandwich had us leaving Virginia at 7:00pm that night.
Seven hours and 30 minutes later we found ourselves at the Comfort Inn Suites Hotel in Beaufort. Let me interject for a minute about the pronunciation of Beaufort--see, there is a Beaufort, SC and a Beaufort, NC--however--each is pronounced differently. I was visiting BU-FORT, SC---not to be confused with BO-FORT, NC. Any who, we got to the hotel at approximately 2:30AM. The room I reserved was a queen suite with twin sleeper sofa---just enough room for the 3 of us to crash. And crash we did--that is until our phone rang at 3:15AM. It was the night auditor giving us a courtesy call to make sure everything was ok with the room. SERIOUSLY!"! Who on the planet earth thinks that it is a GOOD idea to call a guest at 3:15AM"""" We were already in bed and dozing off! I work in a hotel and I think I would be mortified if my staff was calling people at that ungodly hour!
We had to be on base by 6:30AM that morning--October 4, 2007 for the MOTO (Motivational Run). We watched the Mike Co. and November Co. run the base (1,2,3,4 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!) After the run, we had to wait several hours to see Jim--but finally at around 1:30PM we were reunited. It was amazing to see the transformation he had made in 3 months. Despite the fact that he was about 40 lbs. lighter, he stood a little taller, and had discovered a confidence that prior to PI had been lacking. It was so good to see him. I knew I had missed him, but I didn't realize how much until I saw him again. He had about 5 hours of liberty that day. He was in a daze; the poor guy was so overwhelmed. He had been told what to do and how to do it for 3 months, so suddenly finding himself with family he hadn't seen for 3 months on a base that he had only traveled by foot in the company of other recruits was enough to leave him disoriented. We ate lunch, chatted, visited the Marine Corps Exchange, and tried to catch up. He had to be back on barracks by 6:45pm and we headed back to the hotel. After only getting 2 hours of sleep the Dads and I were exhausted--so EXHAUSTED that I fell asleep watching Grey's Anatomy--that is unheard of, my friends.
October 5, 2007--Graduation Day--again we arrived on base at 7:30AM. We had to find parking, attend a Q&A session and wait for graduation to begin at 10:00AM. Due to the inclement weather the ceremony was indoors and was very brief. At 10:30AM we were able to take our new Marine home! Of course, we had to make sure we had enough USMC shirts and souvenirs to cloth the entire family.
I failed to mention that on the way to Beaufort we lost a weight on one of the tires on my dad's Durango--so on the way out of town we stopped at a Goodyear Store and had the tires balanced and re-weighted. Jim was anxious to get home and 7.5 hours in the car listening to the Dads talk about the military definitely made our arrival into Virginia Beach--all that much sweeter! We did make one stop on the way back to our apartment and that was to eat dinner at Jim's favorite place, Red Robin. After 3 months of military chow and MRE's he was quite thrilled to sink his teeth into that bacon cheeseburger!
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