Have you ever thought you might die?

Have you ever thought today might be the day you're going to die?  For me, that day was yesterday as I was flying with 130 other people over tornadoes and severe weather in Nebraska.  It got so bad, I even texted my Pops, Mom and Mike saying, "I know this sounds awful, but we're hitting really bad turbulence, so I just want you to know how much I love you."
Did that text send my family into a panic, you ask?  Nope, because it didn't go through, so I was the only one aware of my impending doom.

We've all hit turbulence, I know, so you probably think I'm just being dramatic.  But this was different...this was the kind that made our jumbo jet drop to the point that our seat belts were the only thing keeping us from hitting the overhead bins.  Women were screaming.  Men were cussing.  Babies were crying.  And me?  I was holding the hand of the little old lady next to me, throwing out f-bombs, because I knew I was never going to see my beautiful wedding or use all my wonderful Target and Macy's gift cards.  I'm pretty sure Beatrice has never heard such language.

I can't imagine what was going through the mind's of our pilots.  I was so glad Bachelor Jake Pavelka wasn't our captain, because from all the crying he's done on the Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars, I know he doesn't handle life's challenges well.

Let's just say I ended up quietly crying, and calming down with a free Miller Lite, courtesy of Southwest.  I've never been more thankful to see the lights of Chicago.  I felt much better as we landed, until I realized I have to do it all over again this Friday when we fly to Ohio for another wedding.

P.S.- To the dozens of women screaming when all this was happening, you didn't help.
And if you ever wondered if you handle stress well--you don't.