Well we are back from our trip to San Antonio to watch Brandon graduate from basic training. It was awesome. My parents and I drove there on Wednesday (Sept. 15th). After a 12+ hour drive we checked my parents into their hotel, then drove another 30 minutes to check me into mine. Brandon had asked me to get a room on base so that we could all hang out there on base leave days. On base leave days he can’t leave base, so there weren’t a lot of options of things to do, and what there was to do was packed! Anyways back to me checking in. Originally I wanted to stay at the Gateway Inn, it was the nicer of the places on base, plus you could see Brandon’s dorm building from it. However when I called I was told I was not allowed to stay at the Gateway Inn, but that they could put me in the Gateway Lodge. Since it was also on base I decided to go for it. They had 2 room types, one that was a private room with a shared bathroom (which I was not going for), or one with a private room and bathroom, which is what I reserved. I went to check in at about 10:00pm and was exhausted, weirdly there were no Americans outside the lodge, or at least none that spoke English, it was mostly middle eastern people…and I mean like 50 of them all males. So I was a little nervous checking in but thought once I was in my room all would be good. Well the joke was on me, they had given my room away, but had a shared bathroom one that I could pay for. I was so mad, asked how they could do that when I had a reservation, and had called to let them know it would be a late check in! They just shrugged and said we saved you a room, just not the one you asked for. I walked out, burst into tears, and left the base feeling like I had let Brandon down! I was able to get a room at the hotel they were staying at, and Brandon earned an extra day of town pass, so it all worked out!
My parents were able to make the trip with me, and we met up with Brandon’s folks (Phil and LeAnn) and his Grandparents Pat and Henry Smart! Thank you all for making the trip, and supporting Brandon and I on this exciting new journey!
On Thursday morning we had the airmans run, which is a 1.5 mile run with all the flights and everyone lined the road to watch the trainees run by. Unfortunately I only got a picture of the back of his head, because I got so excited when I saw him that I forgot to take pictures!
After that we went to an informational meeting where I found out that Brandon had graduated with honors and would be presented his honors coin in a special ceremony! I was so excited and proud of him. I didn’t get very good seats for the main ceremony, but at least I was able to get a front and center seat for the honors ceremony! After that Brandon was released on base pass. So we all went out to eat and just hung out hearing Brandon’s stories!
On Friday the Graduation Parade was held. It was so cool. It was on a field surrounded by old planes. Brandon marched in the band, and I was so excited that with my zoom lens I was able to get shots of him way out on the field (even when I couldn’t see him myself I could through the camera). Then after the ceremony I got to be re-united with Brandon, it was so awesome! First we saw his dorm, all his perfectly folded clothes, and perfectly made bed, then we were off to the river walk, then back to the hotel and watched the graduation video and a video of his flight!
Brandon’s family had to leave early on Saturday, so they had to say their goodbyes on Friday night. So it was just my family and him on Saturday. My parents decided to do their own thing on Saturday giving me and Brandon the whole day just the two of us! I have to say that was the best gift anyone could have given me, it was so nice to just hang out and talk, and go through paperwork. Sunday was also a day of just hanging out. Then around 3:30 we said out goodbyes. Sadly I had about an hour more to spend with him, but me being the emotional person I am, couldn’t stop crying because I knew what was coming. Finally Brandon and I agreed that it would be better (or at least easier) to just say goodbye then and not draw it out. We were at the bowling alley at that point, and 5-6 guys from his flight, who had already said goodbye to their families, were there so he had people to hang out with!
Overall it was an amazing weekend, not near long enough, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything!!! Oh and I took over 100 pictures, and had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few for the blog! However if anyone wants to see more just let me know, and i will be happy to post more, or email some :)
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