Our Weekend...Not According to Plan

For the second weekend in a row, Ryan and I made plans to go to Seaworld. Last Saturday, we didn't get an early enough start to go all the way to Orlando. But this time, we made sure to pack food the night before, set our alarm for the next morning, and print off driving directions... our plan was set and nothing could get in our way! It turns out, we were wrong. After driving the hour and a half to Orlando, we paid for parking, approached the ticket counter, and presented our military identifications with smiling and excited faces. Active duty members and their dependents are allowed free entrance into parks like Seaworld, Busch Gardens, and other places. What we didn't know is that they are only allowed one free entrance per year, and Ryan had already gone with his friends in February. Making matters worse, I couldn't get a free ticket either, even though I hadn't yet used my one-time free entrance. As the woman at the ticket counter explained all of this to us, Ryan and I looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering what to do. We finally decided we would buy the tickets, as we had driven so far to get there. Our stomachs dropped when we heard the dreaded words of the ticket woman, "That will be $143 dollars." My hand flew to my mouth, and Ryan timidly handed her his credit card. After we received our tickets and had entered through the front gates, we talked and decided to turn right back and get a refund. While we had both been excited for a day of fun with the whales and dolphins, we weren't willing to spend our entire month's entertainment funds in one day. So we were in Orlando and at a complete loss of what to do. I must admit, I shed a few silly tears at the frustrating disappointment. Like a little kid, I had been looking forward to our Seaworld outing the whole week leading up to it, and now all of our plans were falling apart. We finally decided to go to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, remembering that there was a Hard Rock casino and hotel on the way back home. But of course, this plan didn't work either. Incredibly, the Hard Rock casino and hotel does not have a Hard Rock Cafe, only a large number of senior citizens staring at slot machines.

After all of our failed plans, we decided to give up and go home. Thankfully, our day was not a complete waste. We were able to enjoy some time at the pool, on one of the first days of bearable humidity level and temperature. Later we went to a fun area of Tampa called Channelside. In search of a good restaurant, we wandered down the street of shops, observing all of the entertaining things to do there. After eating outside at a casual southern restaurant, listening to the live music in the square, we were excited to finally know of a place to go on the weekends. There was the Imax theater, unconventional bowling alley with live music and food, and talented street artists. I guess we have date night opportunities for the next few weeks!

To top off our weekend, we attended a young married group at church this morning. Every person there was so welcoming and friendly. Ryan and I felt at ease immediately and became excited to not only study God's Word, but also to make new friends. We are so thankful that God has directed us to a church where we can grow in Him and form relationships with people who share our beliefs. Even though our weekend may not have gone exactly according to plan, we're happy with how it all turned out in the end!