October 8, 2008

The day is finally here. Ducky (that's Donna's nickname) called and woke me up at 4:00am so I wouldn't miss my plane. I had the alarm set for 4:30, so I tried to roll over for a few more minutes of sleep but couldn't.

I called Donna from the cab to let her know I was on the way to the airport. Then, while I was smoking, I called to let her know that I had my ticket all ready. Then I called from the plane and we were both crying.

When I reached Boston, I turned my phone back on as soon as the plane was on the ground. Just 2 hours to go!

I called here again when I was on the final plane - less than 2 hours!

From the time I made it to Boston the Looks stopped. I guess New Englanders don't know - or care - about T-girls. The only looks I was getting was from being in a dress.

As soon as the plane landed in Presque Isle I turned my phone on to tell her I was there and she said she knew because she watched my plane come in (early, BTW).

When I first went into the terminal there was no one there. I was worried that I might not recognize her, but when she came around the corner, there was no problem. Well, except for the tears that made it hard to see anything. But she had the same problem.

Bree, Hailey, and Mom were with her. We all hugged - a lot! I can't even begin to express how happy I was to meet this woman who probably saved my life.

We stopped at the hotel to make sure I could get checked in. I opened my bag and Ducky didn't want me to bother unpacking anything yet.

When we got to Donna's home, she apologized for it not being "a mansion." It didn't matter to me - I was actually there! I got to see and touch all the things I had heard about for 4 years. And I got to meet Raz, the horse that was her birthday present.

I hadn't seen white birch trees in a long time, and I was amazed that they are all over the place, growing wild. And Christmas trees - real Christmas trees - all over and really big. Down here they have to be imported.

Then they made me sit in the recliner - which is basically the "throne." Then Bree and Hailey presented me with a gift bag that contained a wonderful card and a beautiful bracelet with multi-colored hearts and a set of earrings with really nice diamond-like stones. Of course I immediately put them on and hugged the girls.

Then Mom gave me a beautiful necklace "For my daughter." I could not stop crying.

Donna gave me a gorgeous gold necklace "For my sister." More crying and hugging.

After Larry got home, we went to supper (they don't call it dinner there) at a restaurant called "Napoli's." This was where I really realized for the first time that I wasn't getting the Look. Some people did look at me, but I could tell it was "Who's this bitch in a dress?" Other than the girls, I was the only woman in a dress. But no one - no one - gave me a second thought. How refreshing and ego-boosting!