A (Durbin) Christmas Story

It was a Friday. December 20, 2013 to be exact. Curtis had just recently started A School, in South Carolina, and I was about to go on Christmas break. He was supposed to be coming home the next day, for two weeks of leave, and wouldn't tell me anything about his flight.

I remember waking up for school to a cute text message from Curtis that read “Hey babe, I just want to let you know that I love you so very much! I wish that you have an extremely good day today! I love you and I’ll be seeing you VERY soon!” It was typed just like this, and I know that because I posted a picture of it on my instagram. I was so excited, but at the same time wondered why he had said "VERY," cause to me, I would think he was coming home that day. But, I was very wrong.

That day at school was weird, Curtis usually texted me on his lunch, and never did. We had half a day of school, and the other half was activities. I remember walking around the classroom telling everyone he was coming home tonight, and I just knew it. Cassie had texted me asking if I "wanted to be her practice model for these new lights she got," and I thought that was oddly suspicious. Conveniently, the day I think Curtis is coming home, Cassie wants to do photos in the dark. That's not fishy at all. So we go to Colville, and I am just waiting for Curtis to jump out, or be around the corner. Nothing. By now, it's about 9pm, I haven't heard from Curtis since this morning, and I am so frustrated. Normally by this point in the day we had texted a few times, and were usually talking on the phone by now. I went to bed later, and still hadn't heard from him. I was mad. Mad at Curtis for not talking to me, and mad at Cassie, cause I thought she was leading me to Curtis and then didn't.

That night I was having a hard time sleeping well, because I was so excited. I woke up at 3am, and had a text message from Curtis that read something like this "I have good news and bad news. The bad news is my flight got canceled, the good news is, I have it rescheduled for Sunday around 4am." I WAS FURIOUS. He ignored my texts and calls all day, and the first thing he tells me is his flight is canceled. So I called him. No answer. I spent the next three hours crying. Now looking back, I realized that was super dramatic, but at that time, it seemed like the end of the world. I finally fell back asleep around 6am, and woke back up around 8am.

My parents were doing an event with the exchange students that day, It was Shop and Serve. They would do the arranged community service event, and then got to go to Spokane to go shopping. When I woke up and told my mom that Curtis' flight was canceled, she felt bad. Ale told me I should come with them, but I was watching my brother that day so everyone else could go. My sister offered to watch Russ, so I could go. My mom was hesitant, but eventually let it happen. That day the community service was ringing the bells for the Salvation Army, outside Walmart. So they went, and I got ready. I drove to Walmart, where I rode into Spokane with my mom. FINALLY hearing from Curtis, and he has no explanation as to why he had been so weird. I spent the rest of the day shopping, trying to be happy, but ultimately, I was just bummed. We were coming home from Spokane and Curtis kept asking me where I was, because he wanted to FaceTime, and that he missed me so much. I honestly thought he was just kissing up, because he knew how angry and upset I was. I texted him when we were pulling into Walmart, that I was getting my car and I'd be home soon.

Ale and I got in my car, and my mom said she was dropping off the exchange students at their homes, so she would be a little longer. When we pulled into the driveway, we sat in the car to finish a song, then I noticed my moms truck. I said "hey Ale, I thought mom was taking home the other exchange students," then we just shrugged and walked into the house.

Cassie was at the top of the staircase with her camera. I walked upstairs, and in our living room was a HUGE present that I thought Curtis was in.

When I realized he wasn't, I thought it was some form of sick joke. Like, sorry your boyfriend didn't come home, here's a present with a picture of him to make you feel better.

Then I read the card, and you should watch the video if you want to see how the rest played out.

https://youtu.be/GJV72Ig-nBk

Thank you Cassie for taking the photos, and the video even though you knew I was so upset. I will forever remember this day, and I think Curtis will too! This will probably always be one of my favorite Durbin Christmas stories. Hope everyone enjoyed it!

sincerely, stephanie