I nod and sit back in my seat, closing my eyes again and taking more steady breaths now that we’re in the air and everything is okay. Silas is still rubbing small circles on my hand, making it easier for me to breathe.
I take one more deep breath and place my head on his shoulder as my silent thank-you for his help in getting me through my panic attack. His kiss to my forehead is the last thing I need to fully realize I’m going to be just fine.
16
Kara
With the timechange and the five-hour flight, when we land in Southern California, we pretty much only have time to get our bags, grab some dinner, and head to the hotel. Since we only get one day in the park, Silas wants us to get up super early so we can spend every second there.
I know it’s going to be a completely exhausting day, but the excitement of it all will be so worth it.
As we lie in bed, facing each other, I ask, “Why Disneyland?”
His grin is adorable. “You said you’ve never been anywhere, so I knew you hadn’t been. I’m a true believer that everyone should experience the happiest place on earth at least once. Plus, you talk about Katy and Lana so much that I know you like kids, so I thought this would be right up your alley.”
“I really do. I can’t wait to have kids of my own someday,” I reply.
His face falters, but he doesn’t say anything as he leans over, kisses me on my forehead, and says, “Let’s get some sleep.”
We wake up and are out the door with ease. Once we get to the park, there are already people lined up, waiting to get in.
Silas pulls out a map. “I figured we’d start in the back, then work our way forward, hoping most people will rush to the first thing they see.”
“Do you have this whole day mapped out?”
“Of course I do. There’s a lot to see, so I want to make sure we get to it all!”
His response makes me giggle.
“You’re too cute.” Then, I look at him in question. “Have you ever been here?”
He shakes his head. “I’ve only ever been to the one in Florida.” He wraps his arms around me. “We’re seeing this for the first time together.” He kisses the top of my head. “Just don’t make me wear the ears, okay?”
“Ah, you won’t wear them with me?” I pout.
He sighs. “Okay, maybe, but only if you ask nicely.”
I laugh, and he holds me tighter.
The doors finally open, and as we make our way through them, the little kid in me is absolutely overjoyed. I dreamed of being able to come here when I was younger. They used to have all those commercials of people yelling, “We’re going to Disneyland!” and I so wished it could be me. I never would have thought my boyfriend would be the one to bring me here all these years later.
I’m overwhelmed by the noise, the visuals, and even the smells as we walk into the park. There’s so much to take in, andI don’t know where to look, as I’m afraid I’ll miss something if I look the wrong way.
After taking in the map, then my actual surroundings, I can see why people plan more than one day here.
I grab Silas’s arm. “Please tell me you’ve mapped out the things we have to see versus things to do only if we have time?”
“You know I did.” He pulls out the map again, but this time, he shows me his notes as we walk. “I made sure to balance it out with rides where we don’t sit for long with rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, where you sit the entire ride.”
I grab the small piece of paper, where he wrote what order we’d do things and when.
I smile up at him. “You put so much effort into this. It’s truly amazing.” I stand on my toes to give him a kiss.
“It’s your first real trip anywhere, so I had to go all out.” He takes his note back and folds it up to put it back into his pocket. “Now, let’s run, so we don’t have to wait in line as long.”
We race like excited children to the Star Wars ride, and I laugh the entire time.
His idea works perfectly, and we’re one of the first people to ride. When we exit, the line is already longer than I imagined it could be.
