As Airplanes Fly

It's a tradition in my family that when someone has a birthday or a special time in their life, we do a family car wash. This is where the special person we are celebrating, lays on their back as the rest of the family rubs their hands on their back, with the occasional booty poking for jokes. I had just been through another break up and was again, single. But it was my birthday and we were not going to think about that. I was 25 at the time and I honestly didn't feel that different. Most people feel old at 25 because they think "A quarter century". But not me, I felt comfortable.  It was dad's turn, and these words have stuck by me from that moment and especially in the moments I question if I can be a pilots wife. "Collie, you are confident and independent." It wasn't until recently that I understood why God had given me the life of independence - As a pilots wife, it is imperative to be independent. Ya, I had heart breaks, lonely times, and...

I was walking between the HYPR building, on my way to the Education building at Utah State University, when my right pocket started vibrating. Taylor and I had been engaged for 2 months so when I saw him calling - smile. I knew Taylor had been wondering what to change his major to since he decided he didn't really want to be a teacher. It was then, on the phone, he wanted to get my thoughts. I had no idea he was thinking of becoming a pilot and we didn't really think it was an option because of how expensive the program is. He explained how he talked with the advisor about his Air Force military benefits and how he would be able to get school paid for if he enrolled in aviation. He was calling to see how I felt about him being a pilot. This moment is something I have returned to a million times, and it is one that brings so much peace into my life. We had been praying for him to know what to study and to later do with his career. I have to say that up until that moment, Heaven...