Passport to Paradise

Monday, March 03, 2008

Passport to Paradise
There are a few moments in life that really stand out. The birth of a child, a 25th wedding anniversary, an expired passport. Huh? What? It's the end of February and time for the annual all-women, we-are-fam-i-ly trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Normally, the guest list consists of my 2 cousins from California and my Aunt Scottie from Branson, MO. California bailed at the last minute. So, with 2 empty beds in paradise, I invited my daughter-in-law, Kelly and Courtney, my daughter, to experience this exclusive, girls-only getaway. The excitement was building for 2 weeks. The girls had heard tales of pristine beaches, 80-degree temperatures and whispers of "what happens in Mexico"...you know the rest. All bags packed and ready to board the jet, one look at Courtney's passport and my heart skipped a beat. I must be looking at it wrong. "Can someone hand me my glasses?" I screamed. But the numbers didn't change even with my readers. Expiration, June 2007. The horrifying news brought tears from Courtney and me. I had been looking forward to presenting this trip to her as much as she had been looking forward to going. But there were 3 others of us who had to board the plane, leaving Ron and Courtney at home, looking for options. Arriving at the resort, we unpacked our bags, took a short walk on the beach and waited for a phone call. As I answered the phone, I knew my husband had a plan. "We are driving" he said. "Driving. To Puerto Vallarta. You are DRIVING to Puerto Vallarta??" I shakily replied. "It's the only way to get her there and I am going to get her there" was his answer. WOW! What a Dad! Dad of the year! Dad of the century! And drive her he did! 28 hours later they arrived in Paradise! One of those memories we will never forget.