Never Let Go.

‘Kieran’s POV’

Staring out the window of an Air Canada jet I let out a sigh, flying during the afternoon really bothers me it’s such a waste of a day. But flights from Dallas to Vancouver aren’t all that common so we take what we can get. Jamie’s currently passed out in the lay flat seat next to me and is snoring softly. I’d be doing the same if I hadn’t drank my usual 3 cups of coffee before getting on the plane. Dumb move Kieran. I check the flight tracker on my iPad, we’ve only got 45 more minutes before we land in Vancouver and I am so ready to get up move around I really need to stretch my legs.

We’ll only be in Canada for 2 weeks and both Jamie and I wish we could stay longer but I do have a job back in Dallas. I’m saving the rest of my vacation time for our honeymoon which can’t come soon enough! I am totally ready to sink my toes into the sands of Bora Bora, the resort pictures are incredible and I am ecstatic!

Everything for the wedding has been finalized and this trip to Canada is all about Jamie’s bachelor party being hosted by both Tyler who’s flying in from Toronto and Kory Jamie’s best friend. I’m really happy that the boys are having their party here in Canada where it’s a little less crazy, with 5/6 of the wedding party being NHL players it’s kind of hard to keep anything low key. But if anywhere can handle it its Canada.

When the flight attendant comes on to say we’re approaching the runway I shake Jamie’s shoulder, he sleeps like a bear so waking him isn’t easy. Eventually his eye flicker open, “We’re landing, you have to put your seat up.” He groans pulling himself and the chair into an upright position, “Did you sleep at all?” he questions and I shake my head no. “You drink too much caffeine.” I fake a shocked look, “Me? No way! 3 cups a day is totally normal.” Jamie just smiles knowing nothing will stop me from drinking coffee, at this point I don’t think I could survive without it.

Our house in Canada is still my favorite, I’ve been living with Jamie for 3 years now in Dallas but I still like this house more. It’s smaller and more homey I guess, it makes coming to Canada feel like less of a vacation. Each time Jamie is home in Victoria it’s like we’re on a constant interview family member’s swarm for information on hockey, and Dallas, and us. It’s a lot to take in but since we only visit in short trips now it makes sense that they want to catch up on our lives in the States.

The first week was mostly family visits and get-togethers, an early birthday party for Jamie and an “I do BBQ” hosted by Jen and her boyfriend. The Benn’s are the cutest family and I am so happy to be joining a family full of so much love and support. I had a great time catching up with the Canadian side of my new family, and it really made me wish Ireland wasn’t so far away. Only a little over a month and a half before our wedding which means not only am I becoming a Mrs., but my Irish family members are flying in for the special day! To say I’m thrilled is an understatement.

During the second week is when the boys arrived, after Vegas the rest of the groomsmen went off to their respective parts of Canada and hadn’t seen each other for almost 2 months. I thought girls were bad about reunions until we went to the airport to pick up Tyler and Jason. For a minute I thought Tyler was going to leap into Jamie’s arms, it was quite comical and I’m sure the people around us got quite the show as three grown men were hugging it out in the baggage claim. When the rest of the hooligans showed up it only got worse, it was what I envisioned living in a frat house to be like for 4 days. They could have built a mountain out of all of the empty beer cans and there was so much chirping going on I thought we were at the All-Star game again. I was living with 5 grown man-children, and as the only female I thought I was going to lose it.

When the actual bachelor party rolled around I was thankful that it meant in 48 hours we would all be separating and Jamie and I could go back to Dallas. I needed to see my dog and regain my sanity. The night the guys all went out turned into girl’s night for Jen, Jessica, myself and Jamie’s mom. I had kissed Jamie goodbye and made sure that Tyler and Kory were going to have him experience the same level of pain I was in after my bachelorette party. We ladies went to a nice dinner followed by wine and movie, it was a quiet night the 4 of us but it was perfect with my new mother in-law and sister in laws too.

The guys stumbled in at 4 am and by just the smell of them I knew they were all going to be in a world of pain in the afternoon. By a quick head count and the horrid sounds coming from the bathroom I knew Jason was the first man down, and by the looks of Tyler’s face he would be hugging the toilet soon too. Being proactive I got out plastic cups for the sake of their drunkenness and a large bottle of Advil, forcing them down their throats before they went off to bed.

To my surprise Jamie seemed to be handling himself pretty well, his eyes were drooping but he didn’t appear to be sick, yet. The morning after always seems to be the true test.
When I had done my best to get the other’s under control I pulled Jamie off the couch, “Let’s go to bed champ.” He followed slowly like a child in trouble, sitting down on the side of the bed as soon as he reached it. “Are you going to sleep in that?” I asked and he looked down at his clothes, it wasn’t actually a question though. If he was going to sleep with me those alcohol reeking clothes had to go.

Jamie fumbled with the buttons on the black shirt as I tried to hide the smile on my face, he pouted as I stood in front of him. “Help” he groaned and I swatted his hands away undoing the buttons and pushing it off his shoulders. When he was stripped down to his boxers he crawled under the covers and was out before I got back from locking the door. Canada had kicked his ass just like Las Vegas had done mine, wedding – 2 Kieran and Jamie – 0. Thank God the next step was just saying I do.

Notes

Could you just imagine having to deal with those 5 hockey players? Poor Kieran! Next step is I do!! Who's excited!? ;) xoxo -Ally

hot mess