The whole preparation of our trip to Auburn was nothing short of exciting. Ali and I had been planning on going to visit Jake for months & were ecstatic that the weekend was FINALLY here!!! Once Ali and I found out that our flight conveniently landed at the same time as Jake's test - we knew the weekend was going to be full of adventures!
Our flight landed at 12:30 in Montgomery & we were greeted by two of Jake's dear friends - Grant & Jase! Ali was slightly nervous about getting in the car with strangers, but we both knew Jake would never send guys to get us that he didn't trust. We spent the hour drive to Auburn playing 21 questions and getting to know one another. The boys were incredibly sweet & welcoming. They accepted us with open arms from the very beginning and I've never felt more loved by a group of strangers.
Jake was waiting for us at his apartment and we were instantly surrounded with lots of Southern boys! :) We met all his friends & went to get some lunch at Mama G's with Jase, Robert, and Jake! After lunch, we dropped Jake back off at class and the boys gave us a tour of the picture perfect campus of Auburn University. Don't get me wrong, I'm a die-hard Sooner, but my heart was immediately captivated by the beauty of Auburn! Dinner for the night was sushi, then we were off to the bowling alley for college night! I spent most of the night embarrassing myself with my poor bowling skills && trying to memorize everyone's names! Unfortunately, while at the bowling alley, I asked Robert to take a photo for me and while he was handing my camera back, his finger got caught on the string and the camera dropped. It broke :( but Robert & Jake were super sweet about it, so I wasn't too concerned.
Jake, Me, Jase, Ali
The next day we woke up, got ready, had lunch with Ali's sweet friend, Christin, from Kanakuk & saw their version of sorority houses! It is this crazy dorm like situation where each floor is a different sorority. Then, we stopped by a camera store & diagnosed my camera's issue - it's staying in Alabama & will be fixed in 2-3 weeks. Jake sure does know how to take care of me, he selflessly gave me his camera to bring back to Oklahoma. He wasn't going to let this be an issue & I love that about him. He is a very, very good friend.
Next, Jake had class from 2-3 so we dropped him off and Jase took us shopping so we could purchase some Auburn attire! :) I had been craving ice cream all day so after we rescued Jake from Friday class, we sat outside for an hour or so eating ice cream & exchanging stories about our lives.
Next on our agenda was: BEN RECTOR // DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS' concert! The concert made my heart so happy. I can't wait for their shown in Norman in a few weeks. Before the show, Ben & Drew were welcoming every car and shaking hands with the drivers as they all pulled in. How humble & thankful are they? Not to mention, they are oh so talented. Once we were all frozen little popsicles, we went back to Jake's and hung out with lots of his friends!
GAME DAY! oh my goodness, there's nothing better than gameday on college campuses across America. Auburn was a sea of orange&navy and campus was full of people tailgating. I was desperately trying to soak it all in. After eating lunch at Lambda Chi, we headed to the stadium. Jake's family was gracious enough to let us use their season tickets for the week so we could avoid the mass chaos of the student section! Jake, his girl: Sarah, Ali, and I all sat together -- free food & drink accompanied these awesome tickets! :) Auburn vs. Arkansas was probably the best football game I've been to all year - WAR EAGLE! There's something indescribable & special about SEC football and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been at that game. After the victory, we went to Jase's sister's to meet her and her baby, Charlotte. Jase is absolutely in love with his beautiful baby niece and it was so sweet to see them together. The best part was that Jake hadn't held a baby in years and was so nervous to hold her - of course he did fantastic though! :)
Next, all of Jake's friends that we had ever met were all attending this birthday party, so naturally we had to join! It was full of people Ali and I obviously didn't know, but everyone was very sweet & the night was filled with laughter!
At about 12:30, we were all freezing and ready to go back home. There were constantly people coming in and out of their apartment for hours, which meant we didn't get to bed until pretty darn late, but couldn't have asked for a more perfect last night in Auburn.
we both love & adore Jake, a lot.
I had no idea I'd fall so hard and so fast in love with a town. Auburn is charming, lovely, full of school spirit, Southern, unique, & inviting. This weekend was exactly what I needed - Ali and I both needed to escape the business of life in Norman and just relish in the richness of college life. it. was. good... very, very good.
I went into this weekend kind of blind - knowing I could trust Jake with my entire life, but also realizing I'd have to trust his roommates & best friends pretty quickly. Each of his friends surpassed all of my expectations. Their friendly smiles, constant concern for our well-being, and selflessness to make our weekend the best possible spoke volumes to my heart. The last thing I expected was to become as close to some of them as I did in just a mere 4 days. Everything in Auburn is on a different level: a mix of more laid back yet more intense. Doesn't make much sense unless you experience it for yourself. Everyone go visit - promise you won't regret it !
As I'm typing this on the plane ride home, the sky is practically glowing. It's a mixture of the prettiest shades of bright orange & pink. Jesus rocks my world; I think He also loves Auburn! Thank you Jesus for protecting us, surrounding us with sweet new friends, providing lots of funny situations, allowing us to have once in a lifetime experiences. I pray these memories are engrained in my mind forever. You are good & through You life is good.
blessed beyond measure,
cal
This blog was so sweet! You almost made me cry! :)
ReplyDelete