Wild Ride

Taking full advantage of our kid-free weekend (18th-20th - little behind with posting this), Gabe and I spent an entire day at Fiesta Texas. There is a reason we went. We are not complete roller coaster junkies. Fiesta Texas holds a special place in our hearts. Eight years ago this summer we went with some friends from church. It was a day of fun but also the day we really started to get to know one another. (something that can't be helped when you are waiting in line for an hour or more!!) I think we both started realizing our feelings for each other that day.



Then about 5 years ago (ok, almost 6) I took Gabe to Fiesta Texas for his 30th birthday because of this song titled Top of the Roller Coaster by David Wilcox.

Say good-bye to your twenties

Tomorrow is the "Big 3-0"

For my birthday present

I've got a place where we can go

It's a lesson in motion

To ride the wildest ride

We're gonna climb to the top of the roller coaster

And look down the other side



So let me ride in the front car

And you ride right behind

And I'll click my snapshot camera

At exactly the right time

Shoot back over my shoulder

Catch the fear no one can hide

When we tip the top of the roller coaster

And look down the other side

Over the hill



So when the prints come back

We can look at that unmistakable birthday fear

Like your younger days are over now

And its all down hill from here



It was a happy birthday

You surprised us all

So take a look at this glossy picture

I framed it for your wall

It's the moment of truth

It's the top of your youth

The camera don't lie

You might be screaming

But there's a meaning

In the laughter in your eyes

It seems to be saying

"Of coarse there will be fear"

But this is why we stand in line

Spend that time

Make that climb

To finally feel the other side

And it's all down hill from here



We're gonna climb to the top of the roller coaster

And look down the other side

That was a fun day, but even then we realized that our bodies couldn't handle certain rides. I LOVE roller coasters, so this was a little disheartening. Here we are 6 years later thinking we are going to be 'young' and carefree riding all the fast and furious coasters. Reality..... Gabe had a pounding headache and I was nauseous after the first ride. UGH! It didn't take us long to realize that we were going to have to slow things down a bit. We had to sandwich every roller coaster with a "ol' folk" activity like seeing a show or riding the Ferris wheel. It was pretty funny!!! No matter how sick we felt, we were determined to ride as many roller coasters as we could. We paid to get into this silly park, by golly, we were going to fulfill our amusement park destiny.We did and we felt even more sick. So much for that!! I have to say this, we had a lot more fun at the water park. The Texas Tornado was a blast. Maybe we should have just spent the day at Schlitterbaun instead. We learned our lesson, or at least I did...... load up on Dramamine before trying to do things like flip up side down and backwards while flying through the air.

The picture at the top is from the card that Gabe gave me for our anniversary. The tag line inside said, "Being with you is always a thrill". A roller coaster is a great example of what a marriage can feel like sometimes. Lots of ups and downs, but always filled with thrills and excited anticipation of what is coming up next. No I don't get nauseous on this "roller coaster", just thrilled to be riding this ride with my best friend. Hand in hand, ""we are going to climb to the top of the roller coaster, and look down the other side" . Here is to the rest of the ride, Gabe. I love you 1st!