As someone who has learned not to be impulsive in adulthood, spontaneity is a huge deal. I pulled my first successful surprise visit!

I wish I had a photo, but the plan was so short-notice I didn't even take a camera! I work very irregular hours at my job and I get my new schedule at the end of each week, so I rarely get to make long-term plans. When I found out that I had Friday and Saturday off, a rare two days in a row I hadn't requested...I was thrilled. I didn't think I could afford a trip to see him though, so I resolved to take care of some things around here. I knew he'd been stressed about his job lately, and he'd just been here for Thanksgiving. I just wanted to be in communication with him.

However, the stars aligned for us somehow. My dad borrowed my car and returned it to me with a full tank, my aunt and uncle gave me my belated birthday and graduation cards at the same time, both with cash in them, and I was able to make next month's student loan payment early with enough left over to drive to him and back.

I texted his roommate to find out what their plans for the weekend were and it turned out that he had no plans and both roommates would be away for work. Perfect. I got off work Thursday night at 6 and I had decided, packed, and firmly hit the road by 8pm, only informing one of his roommates that I would need the door left unlocked or someone to sneakily let me in.

As I drove, I worried that he would figure it out, as I was not online for the first time in months, and hadn't texted him for the entire four hour drive. I also worried that he would find my impulsive plan intrusive or sneaky. Or that he had some secret plan for the weekend and I would be cramping his style. But I realized that all the times I'd been put in that situation, where I was viewed as an inconvenience or intruder had been with others, not him. It was still so hard for me to refrain from calling him and screaming "I'M ON MY WAY TO SEE YOU OMG DON'T GO TO BED EARLY PLEASE."

Still, when I arrived around midnight my hands were shaking, and I was nervous and excited and wired from driving all evening. When I walked into his room and saw his face, and his genuine surprise and excitement at seeing me, all my worries gave way to joy. I apologized for being sneaky, and told him I hoped that it was okay that I just showed up. He was in disbelief, he couldn't understand why I was even worried about that. I've never felt so loved in my life.

I know this is just a big story about surprising my boyfriend, but this is possibly the biggest risk I have ever taken. Before I met him, I was not a romantic. I learned that taking risks and sacrificing for others most often led to being seriously hurt. This is the first time in my adult life that I have felt safe and secure enough in a relationship to do something so spontaneous and bet on it being well-received...and being right.

I am incredibly happy, in love, and sad to be back in PA this morning and heading to work soon. I can't wait to see him again. Most of all, though. I am relieved to know that I am loved and that he was touched and excited about my surprise instead of freaked out. I am glad to know that there will not be an Overly-attached-girlfriend meme made about me.

TL;DR: Took a risk and drove four and a half hours to surprise my boyfriend. Was worried about how it would be received. Was met with a long and happy embrace, and a magical weekend. <3