April 1, 2022
On Friday morning my sweet father-in-law prayed over my journey and my heart as I said “see ya later” to my two boys. I then drove my three girlies and myself to my mom’s house where I got them all settled and then squeezed them tight before kissing them farewell, too. David and I have gone away before, but never for 14 days! The adventure ahead was exciting, but also nerve-wracking for this mama’s heart.
David travels for work (he goes on top-secret-picture-taking adventures for CSNTM, but more on that another day) and knew that he’d be going to the UK sometime in March at the beginning of this year. We knew that he’d be gone for an extended period, and so we planned to drive the whole family of seven up to Wisconsin for the duration. Family road trip. With five kids. In a packed-full-to-the-brim-can’t-see-out-the-back-window mini-van. He’d be gone for three weeks, and the kids and I would spend that time catching up with family and friends we hadn’t seen in about two years since our previous adventure which took us to Scotland and then from there to Princeton, Texas*. David and I dreamed about somehow leaving all five kids in Wisconsin for a time so that maybe I’d be able to join him in London for a while at the end of his work trip. This dream made me laugh- leave all five kids, including my then still-breast feeding 17-month-old baby girl with unfamiliar family for two weeks? Ha!
Well, I suppose a long lock-down lifestyle over the past couple of years, another family addition, an across-the ocean transition, an extended (like a whole month…) all-family stay in a hotel room while looking for a house, and then settling in and unexpectedly homeschooling may make any mother feel like it’s time for a short holiday. I laughed a little less about the idea and began asking family members if they’d be up for the challenge- making my case for an emotional/mental/physical rest being very-much needed. In addition to the rest and pandemic-recovery, I was also looking forward to scooting up to Scotland for the second week of our trip to see very dear friends we had left behind when we moved back to the States.
On February 15th, our dream became an upcoming reality! We bought plane tickets for David and me to be in the UK together for two weeks! I really couldn’t believe it. With the help of our generous and loving (possibly crazy) family members, I was really going to get to go on an extended holiday with my favorite person. David would leave first on the 5th, from Chicago, and I was to meet him in London on the 19th.
On March 3rd at 2am we arrived** in Wisconsin, exhausted but so very excited to see our beloved family! David was to leave on Saturday morning for his flight to London. We saw some of our favorite people that very same day and enjoyed visiting our people (and even squeezing in family photos) until Wednesday when everything changed. Gwen began to throw up. One by one everyone except grandma and grandpa fell to the stomach bug. First G, then me, then Matthias, Theo next, Tali after, and Thea last. Then we all got a cold. It wasn’t how I imagined our Wisconsin visit to go, but I’m so glad that everyone came out fine by Friday. It was such a blessing to my heart to witness the grace and love that Dave and Toni had for us as we were sick all over (I mean couches, floors, walls, carpets…. most of which super-hero Dave Flood conquered) their home! I praise God we got to still see and love on our family for a small while, and that by the 18th, the day of my flight, I was only left with a stuffy nose.
Butterflies enjoyed their new home in my stomach as I walked up to the airport, luggage in hand and backpack strapped on. I waved goodbye to my mom, who graciously got off work early to drive me. I so loved catching up with her and laughing as we drove through the rainy weather. I cherish time with my mom, and because of the sickness that had made its way around the family this was the first time I’d gotten a chance to be with just her.
I easily found my way to the check-in desk and checked my luggage and then went to the security line. This part always makes me feel nervous, as if I am taking a test that I am sure will have surprise questions. Like, “Oh hello madam. I’m sure you’re aware it is now illegal to have long nails on this flight.” Or “Excuse me ma’am, please get in line for the surprise essay questions about your travels.” Well, I made it through without a hitch, long nails, and all, and while putting my shoes on I texted everyone that I made it (and yes, I might I have been proud of my ‘A+’ grade). I found my gate and felt giddy looking at the flight info – ‘Chicago to London, UK’. Mere hours separated me from seeing my best friend!
The flight was delayed, due to a last-minute repair to the plane’s windshield wiping system. I overheard one of the security personnel chatting with a passenger and he was explaining that this inbound plane had flown with a faulty wiper, and upon landing the whole wiper was ripped off the plane! I could imagine the pilot cheekily announcing on the intercom to the passengers, “Hello passengers, it’s your pilot speaking, everything’s fine, just wanted to let you know pieces of the airplane are being ripped away as we land. Mostly just the windshield wiper.” Not the worst thing that could happen to an airplane, but I was glad they were taking the time to make sure everything was in working order before leaving the airport. The flight was originally scheduled to leave at 6:50pm and ended up not leaving until just about 9.
I was seated in the aisle seat in a very full airplane, so full that they were giving away two $1,200 vouchers for volunteers willing to take another flight- they had overbooked! I only considered this for a minute and was glad that two other people did end up volunteering in the end. They checked almost everyone’s larger carry-on luggage, and most of the people too. I sat next to a father and his daughter who was there with his wife and mother also. He remarked on how difficult it had been to try and find seats together for five whole people, and I snickered and told him about our flight to Edinburgh with eight. His eyes bulged dramatically over his mask, and while pointing to me like some zoo wonder he said to his daughter (who I later found out was 8 years old) “this lady has five children!”
The flight was quiet and although I did try to sleep, I found it very difficult to feel comfortable enough. I was glad to be wearing a mask so that the few times I was startled awake with my mouth hanging open I wasn’t too embarrassed. While in flight, I watched two movies that I would totally recommend during this Women’s History Month- King Richard, and Suffragette. A visit to the Imperial War Museum while I was in London made the latter a bit more interesting - helping to put the timeline in context of the World Wars.
When we were about an hour out from London, I was too excited to do anything but stare at the little airplane on the map on the screen in front of me. Unfortunately, the little girl beside her father was also a bit too excited as we were landing and vomited all over herself and the bag in front of her. Her poor father was so patient and sweet to her but also couldn’t hide the panic in his eyes that was accentuated by the mask forming a highlighter line underneath them. I said, “you got this!” gave him a thumbs-up and left the plane - so glad to be done cleaning up my own kid’s excretions for a time.
I headed to the baggage claim and grabbed my bag. If masks weren’t a thing, I may have looked a little silly wearing the huge grin I wore the entire time through the baggage area and out to the ‘arrivals’ where I knew my BFF was waiting. I searched the crowd, and found him, a taller-than-me, perfect haired, sophistically bearded man who my heart called ‘home’. Sorry, too cheesy? Wait, I’m not sorry, I had just come from Wisconsin.
We found a cab, and just rested in each other’s presence for the next hour. London showed off its historical riches with its stone and brick-clad buildings amongst the new shiny buildings scattered about its streets. I was a complete tourist taking pictures of all these things, wondering about their stories and the people in them.
We arrived at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel where David showed me to the room. The elevators and hallways were dark themed mixed with black sparkly accents; I suppose to either induce fancy feelings or to hide its secrets. Personally, my fancy feelings were evoked, and I was glad I brought my fuchsia nail polish. For David though… well, his secrets are well hidden.
Come back next time for the story of my first few days in London, England!
Have a lovely day sunshine,
-Audrey Flood
*Did we ever plan to move back to the DFW area, you ask? Well, short answer, absolutely not. Longer answer, after leaving Dallas where David went to seminary at DTS, we remarked how we wouldn’t miss Texas and never saw a reason to go back. In fact, David would say he never wanted to go back, ever. God has a funny sense of humor and provided a job for David that lined up crazy-perfect with his degree and direction - in Texas.
**So, I journaled our 936.5 MI road-trip, which ended up being a lightning-fast experience since we drove straight through without stopping for a sleep, but I’ll write about that another time. It was an ‘experience’.