Ricardo is finally home safe and sound where he belongs.❤️

Our first vacation together.

This month (3/17-3/24), D and I took our very first vacation together. Technically, I did go on vacation with his family when we were teenagers (to Crystal River and it still remains one of my very favorite trips to date), but as far as just the two of us together, it was the first.

Given the current situation in the US and around the world right now (COVID-19) it may have seemed like a strange trip to make, but honestly, we had this trip planned for around six months, so we just followed through with it.

We decided to go visit his family, because with the exception of his parents, he hadn't had the opportunity to see any of his other family members in over a year. With this came an eighteen hour drive (each way) and a whole lot of fun.

I hadn't been back to FL since Momma and I moved 12+ years ago, so while it was surreal, it was great to see everyone that we love (with the exception of a few that we didn't get a chance to hang out with).

While the traveling part was exhausting, it was so more than worth it. We got to stay with his mom and stepdad (two people that  I absolutely love) and saw the majority of everyone that D was really looking forward to seeing. I even got to see my Uncle Wayne for awhile!

We got to meet our newest nephew, Colton, and see his baby sister all adorable and six months pregnant. We all laughed, played games, drank, hung out, and basically just had a fun time together. Not to mention, I got to meet some people that are really close to D that I hadn't had the chance to.

We headed home before the states got locked down (literally the day before), and we can't wait to see everyone again.... hopefully soon!! It was strange driving on the damn near empty highways, and D broke his toe, but all in all, I'd call it a pretty successful trip. (We even made like eight pounds of jerky for my little prego sister-in-law before we left our house!)

Sunburned cheeks and sleep deprivation. 😳

I may or may not be having a bit of a nervous breakdown.

D: “What’s that post-it on the bathroom mirror?” Me: “It’s a guide to cut my hair.” D: “You’re gonna cut your own hair?!” Me: “Of course not.” D: “Oh ok, good.” Me: “I already cut it when nobody was home to talk me off the ledge.” D: “Shit.... let me see it.” 🤣 I mean, it was only the dead ends, so at least I didn't have a full on Britney?!!?!

Forever the Watson to my Sherlock. ❤️

The Clyde to my Bonnie (without the crime spree and 50+ bullet wounds). The ying to my yang. My ride or die. The Romeo to my Juliet (except neither of us are that dumb and depressing?). The Heathcliff to my Catherine (without all the incest and dreariness and death and shit). The Augustus to my Hazel. The Jack to my Rose (again, without all that dying and/or being rich shit). The Nick to my Jess. The Schmidt to my Cece.

Basically, what I'm saying is I love this dude and am so happy that I get to share this crazy walk that we call life together.

And even though I watch too much tv, and read too many books, and quote random facts to you (against your will and to your annoyance), and cook chicken wings at least twice a week, you take it all in and just love me for me. You are kind, and sweet. Generous and reliable. Loving and adorable. You're all the things someone looks for in a companion and yet, are hardly ever lucky enough to find.

I was incredibly fortunate enough to find my "person" when I was sixteen. And while we've been through alot and had to spend time apart, I will be forever grateful that you came back into my life, when I needed you the most without even knowing it.

What I'm saying is, I love you. All of you. And come October 17th of this year YOU'RE LEGALLY MINE, MOTHERF*CKER. 😘

There are times that I don't know what to do with myself.

So, I just snuggle my pups until I feel better(ish).

Drunk Dude on a Scooter: 01, Katie: 00.

On Saturday night, I was in a car accident. In fact, it was my first ever accident. Sure, I was in an accident with Momma when I was a baby (that I have no recollection of) and I was once with my friend Carolyn and a few of her older friends and we got rear ended, but this was MY first ever accident.

I'm a cautious driver. I drive the speed limit or lower (something that I'm sure annoys all), I always use my turn signal, and I check about three times before I switch lanes to make sure that no one is near. Basically, I read the manual and I follow it. 

But, what all of the manuals and experience and advice doesn't actually prepare you for is when you're in an accident that wasn't your fault. And sure, most people say the accident that they had wasn't their fault, but in this case, there are three witnesses and a police report that agree with me.

Sure, you're told about these things and you worry, but you don't actually know what it feels like until you're in it. 

Saturday night, I learned that lesson. Before anyone panics, I'm fine. A little bump on the head (the top of my head hit my steering wheel) and some bruises/soreness (I'm assuming from the impact/seatbelt), but overall I'm fine. My car? Poor little Ricardo, he's just pitiful. He has to have a new windshield, two new grills (he has a front grill and a lower front grill), some body work, and has to be checked for internal damage.

The dude that hit me? Well.... his scooter (I honestly don't know what to call it, it looked like something between a vespa and a crotchrocket?) was totalled.... and he was drunk. I know, fun, right? 

What happened.... I had made a later night run to the grocery store and was on my way home (correction: I was pulling onto my actual f*cking street) and this dude was on his "scooter" with no headlight on and by the time my headlight hit him and I tried to turn my car away, it was too late. Luckily, I was only going about 25mph and was slowing to make the turn, or I assume it could have been much worse. He however, did not slow down, turn, honk, yell.... nothing. He was just full on hauling ass and slammed into the front of my car.

It all happened so fast and it was.... for lack of a better word.... traumatizing. His whole body came into my windshield (almost coming completely through) and his "scooter" mangled poor little Ricardo. I put him in park immediately and jumped out, so afraid that I was shaking and crying. The only thing that I could say (ok, I might have been wailing) *tears* "are you *tears* ok?! do you need *tears* an ambulance?! *tears, tears* can I help you?!" *tears*

The man stood up almost immediately, (I don't know about you, but I would've been laying there in the middle of the road) and started to yell, curse, scream, and kick at me. I just kept repeating myself and saying I was sorry (except in retrospect he hit me, so I'm not sure why I was apologizing? probably because even though he launched himself into my car, I still felt bad that he almost went through a windshield?), and he got very loud and very angry and came at me like he was going to hit me.

There were three different people (witnesses?) outside that saw what happened and the one man that was there yelled at the dude and told him that he hit me, he better not touch me, and that he was calling the police. He immediately started yelling and somebody actually picked him up and HE LEFT before the police showed up. 

They took my statement and were very understanding and kind, and honestly, I couldn't thank those IMPD officers more. They were professional, yet understanding and comforting. The witnesses also told the officers what happened for the report (so, thank you guys for being honest and helpful too!) and two ladies stood outside with me until D could get there and everything was settled (y'all are amazing people). 

The man who hit me, girlfriend showed up and according to her he was probably drunk (there is no probably, I could smell it on him, he was belligerent, and even the guy who called the cops said "a drunk man just hit a girl in her car and left the scene") and he already had a warrant out for his arrest.... hence the leaving the scene. D eventually helped her get the scooter back to her house (she was nice and helpful and it wasn't her fault), since she lived literally one street and an alley away from us. And the police let me drive my car down to our house so I didn't have to pay for a tow truck. I'm not sure if the police ever caught up with him, but I'm sure he's in quite a bit of trouble when/if they do.

So, there I was, at our house after my very first accident, freaking out and knew I had to make some phone calls. I called my insurance company first (a suggestion I got from one of the two officers), got all of the information I needed (luckily, I have full coverage so they made me an appointment to drop Ricardo off to get fixed and set up a rental car for me) and then I called Dani to let her know that I wasn't gonna be able to come in Monday and explained to her why. She was worried, but understood. I also called Aunt Poot (because it happened right down the street from her and if she would have found out second hand she would have shown up at my house with three ambulances and fourteen firetrucks). I tried to call my brother, but he didn't answer (multiple times) so I eventually just had to wait for him to call me.

Yesterday D took me to get my rental and he actually drove Ricardo to the recovery shop (yes, that's what I'm calling it) for me. They did a short assessment and let me know what further assessments they would have to do, and I should have Ricardo back sometimes middle/late next week.

I joked that my rental is so nice that I might just want to keep it, but honestly, I can't wait to have Ricardo back. I mean, we're bros and have been through alot together.

All in all, I say this to say: thank you. Thank you, to the witnesses/people that came forward and out to help me and try to make sure I was ok. Thank you, to the IMPD officers that were understanding and helpful and kind. Thank you, to all those who knew/found out and checked in on me. And finally, thank you to my amazing fiance for all that he does for me that day and every single day. None of you will ever know how much I truly appreciate you.

Finally, thank you, Momma. I know it was you watching over me and making sure that I didn't get more seriously injured and that the dude (however awful he was) that hit me didn't get more injured. There is no doubt in my mind that you were there, trying to keep me safe and watching over me, like you always have. ❤️