Sand and Sun

This past weekend was absolutely lovely. Late Friday afternoon Chris and I decided we would drive down to Surfside to meet up with some friends who were already down there. It was nice to escape the usual circus of errands and places to be that usually fills the weekend.

The plan was to camp on the beach; however it was just too windy and too sandy for our comfort. Being that we're no longer the spring chickens we used to be, our bodies were tired from the 5 hour drive to the coast followed by another 5 hours spent splashing around on the beach. The thought of going to bed without a shower on the hard ground inside a sandy sleeping bag was not appealing. As soon as we made the decision to go a hotel for the night, I began to fantasize about the warm shower and the clean sheets awaiting me. I was anxiously looking forward to a blissful night of peaceful slumber. The high school kids in Surfside were not however, looking forward to a blissful night of peaceful slumber. We saw them earlier that night running around in their gowns and tuxedos at the local civic center. It was prom night in Surfside and the after-prom festivities began around 1:37 am. I know this exact time because this is when I was wakened from my blissful slumber to the sound of laughter, doors slamming and walls rattling. After two calls to the front desk, a quick visit from a police officer and 40 minutes of lying in bed trying to get back to sleep it looked like they were going to party all night. I could hear them on the balcony and I couldn't just lie in bed and take it anymore. I jumped out of my bed, exclaiming to Chris that they were "on the balcony." I walked over to the window and pulled the curtain back just far enough to see the cluster of people outside. Without any hesitation I began knocking on the glass as hard as I could. It was a frustrated attempt to get their attention. One guy slowly turned around and I can only laugh as I imagine what he saw. There I was – half awake, half asleep, with puffy eyes and crazy hair that had dried as I slept on it. Most of my body was hidden by the darkness of the room but my face was illuminated by the lights that shone in on me from the balcony outside. As I made unflinching eye contact with this kid I gave him "the look;" the look I give in moments of extreme agitation and anger; the one that Chris swears by. Then I swiftly rose by right hand and made a swiping motion across my neck, as if to say, "Cut it out now." The whole time I didn't move my lips nor did I dart my eyes away from his. I imagine I looked as crazy as I was feeling. Thankfully it was quiet about 10 minutes later and we slept blissfully and peacefully the rest of the night.

Upon arriving home late Sunday night I learned that my mom thought Chris and I had run away to get married. I guess she felt the need to confess this to me after seeing that I had come home alone and spouseless. Hmmm….I didn't really know what to say to her except that she's crazy. I guess I come by it honestly.