there's a first time for everything

This has been the summer of "firsts"...first time leading a mission trip from start-to-finish, first time editing a book...and while the lessons learned in the light of leadership are not always fun, the are rewarding and refining in the end.

But enough about the new experiences that carry with them greater responsibilities, resulting in both good and bad emotions in the moment. This entry is solely dedicated to those "firsts" that are only attached to pure enjoyment. 

Perhaps I should share with you a picture to get you started:

This is Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. While it may not look like much from this picture, you should know that this ride takes you from 0-120 mph in 3.8 seconds. Not only that, but you go completely vertical 420 ft. in the air, and then come back down again.

And Trent and I rode it. Twice.

To help you understand how crazy this is, you should know that up until our trip to Cedar Point, I had really only been on 3 (maybe!) "real" roller coasters. Sure, I had been on countless Disney rides and other mini-coasters that usually had a mining cave theme to them...but those no longer count. 

So Thursday was a day full of firsts...first time going upside-down on a roller coaster, first time riding more than 2 roller coasters in a day, first time traveling 120 mph on the ground (I'm not counting plane rides), first time on a standing roller coaster...the list goes on and on. 

Now, there were a couple of non-firsts to mention that were quite enjoyable as well. It was my second time eating an elephant ear (both times have been with Trent though...quite a romantic food, I suppose?). My second time visiting Clay (Trent's best friend) in his hometown outside of Akron, OH. And it was Trent and I's 579,026 road trip together. OK, maybe not that many...let's see, Illinois, Indiana, Cincinnati, Illinois, Cincinnati, Pennsylvania...we're averaging about 1 per every month we've been together!

And there's no one I would have rather experienced all of these firsts with than him (haha...yes I'm being super girly...and there's more to follow). But there's something about being with him that just makes me more brave to try things I would normally be scared to death of. He's comforting and encouraging and unselfish (I have to stop there because if I start listing all of his good qualities, I will have reached a new level of mushiness on this blog that I don't think I am comfortable with), and I feel safe when I'm with him because of it. 

I leave you with one final thought: Millennium Force is the best roller coaster ever.

Comments

[devin]

This is so adorable! I loved reading this blog entry... even if it did get a little mushy! haha

[neyhart]

I want to hear more about this book you are editing!