Twenty Minutes Away

We were twenty minutes away when I visited the SF Bay Area for a conference in March 2011. We were also down around the Wharf at the same time. However, we didn't meet. Instead, we met two months later.

We emailed and chatted online for a week and a half. I had taken time of from work weeks prior but had yet to purchase plane tickets anywhere. After, slight hesitation we decided to see each other. I flew out for a less than 24 hour trip.  I believe I told only two individuals.

I had a layover in AZ. Tears welled as I realized that the door across the terminal, the door that led to my connecting flight, just shut as I ran up to it. (I had never missed a flight in all of my traveling before this point.)  I was upset. The attendant said it was too late. I missed the plane. I told ryan. He responded, something close to "It's ok. I will still be here when you get here. Remember, you love airports, have fun. Go people watching and get a hot drink." There were no guilt trips, but there was a message of confidence that spoke loudly to me. He knew snippets of me already. That was rad.

Ryan greeted me with wildflowers and a hug.
I was in SF overnight.
We both were wrapping up graduate school semester finals and were exhausted.
Ryan's planned trip to the museum turned into a solid nap.
Ryan's planned date night at the Fog City Dinner turned into a picnic in the hotel.  We still wore our fancy date attire.


The next day, Ryan took me to Stinson Beach, and yes, they're was a nap on the beach.
We had twist cones and decided it was fun and comfortable. Maybe we could talk on the phone now.

I feel asleep on the way to the airport. Which wasn't a surprise at this point!  ...I liked him.  I felt safe next to him...

--Ryan's funny insert. I had already left for the airport when Jasmine found out she was not going to be able to catch her connecting flight. when I received the message from her I pulled over to the side of the road to reassure her. I let her know that I was staring at San Quentin, and later she revealed that she wanted to see this overlook of the beautiful San Quentin. It was here that I had to inform her that I should have added the entire name when I told her that, as it was not some scenic overlook, I was on the shoulder of the road next to San Quentin State Prison.