Ring, Ring! Hear the Bells on Christmas Day!

Christmas has always meant presents, sibling sleepovers, early mornings, cinnamon rolls and Grandma Great smoothie, pajamas, movies, all with my family.

This year, I enjoyed learning how blessed I am to spend time with family.

But not just my family.

I was able to go over with the Free's and spend time with them on Christmas but you know what else?

I got to talk to my freaking favorite missionary in the world.

First, so I can get this in full detail really for me, we have to rewind to the day before.

Christmas Eve was supposed to be his P-day and that was when we would find out what time he was calling and even if he wanted me to be there. 

I checked my email all day and there was nothing.

All day.

Nothing.

So about 6:30 my phone rings with an unknown number but since iPhones are so handy it gives me a location.

I see the words,

Pasco, Washington

and my heart stopped,

my throat closed,

I started shaking,

I panicked.

I finally picked up the phone and swallowed as hard as I could and choked out a 

"Hello?"

I heard a Hello back to which I answered again,

"Hello?"

I paused for a minute because it didn't sound like him.

Who was this??

Then he says,

"Oh, it's so good to hear your voice."

I immediately freak and just say a very long, 

OH. MY. WORD.

Meantime, he is rattling something off about figuring things out and that I should stay by my phone.

I love you, Bye.

...

That was it. 

29 seconds.

What the crap just happened? 

That was really him! 

He is alive and he just called my phone!

The day goes on and I just assumed he would call back tomorrow and I'd talk to him then.

So the boys and I are getting into bed, (It's tradition in my family that all the kids sleep in one room on Christmas Eve) when my phone rings.

It's the same number from earlier that day but it was too late, it can't be him.

Also, not only 5 minutes before had I tried to save the number so I knew it was him but when I clicked it, my phone actually called it.

I was pretty sure that I ended it before it went through but they were calling me back so I freaked out.

I chose not to answer because I was terrified of who was on the other end.

Then I get a voice mail.

I push play and hear,

"You didn't answer, you've got to be kidding me. I'm calling back in a second. K, Bye."

It was him! Again!

So low and behold, he called back,

I answer very confused as to what is going on. 

He explains that since they didn't get time to email the families about times they were calling the next day, they were given permission to call Christmas Eve to set it up.

We chatted for a half an hour about our lives for the last 6 months and it just felt like nothing had changed.

I was so freaked out that it would be awkward and would just be too different but it felt so natural.

He told me about his mission, his companions, just everything.

He was also very proud of himself because he was folding laundry as we spoke.

He told me he'd be calling the next day at 11 our time and to talk to his mom about the details.

I couldn't sleep that night. I kept waking up, tossing and turning, thinking about what had just happened and what was going to happen in the morning.

We woke up at 7 as tradition goes, opened presents and I got spoiled with new clothes that I love. 

Also, to redecorate my room at school.

 I'm thrilled about that.

Then I got ready for the day and headed over to the Free's.

I was equally excited to see his nephew and niece since I hadn't since Mike left.

Is she the cutest or is she the cutest?

I got there and was almost immediately handed the phone.

He was able to Facetime which was so nice.

Big surprise [not] he looks the same! 

His family was also nice enough to let me go in another room so it wasn't weird or anything.

I was so very grateful for that.

We just talked.

I told him about my semester at school.

My sister leaving.

How I don't have a boyfriend.

And I am not engaged.

He told me about his companion.

What he does in a day.

He gave me a tour of his room and his decorations 

aka pictures of us.

We laughed so hard.

We smiled the whole time.

The whole experience was surreal. 

I love that boy. That is for sure. What I loved was that it felt more like just being best friends than dating. 

I've missed my best friend more then anything through this and it was so nice to have him back for a little bit. 

He is still hilarious and I forgot how easily he makes me laugh. 

He has the same personality and looks the same.

But what has changed is his attitude, his maturity level, his openness, his happiness.

That kid has grown so much. He is so much more adult like! 

He wasn't afraid to say anything, ask anything but in a different way then before.

He knew what was important and didn't try and change that.

And most importantly, he seemed so incredibly happy.

Literally with every word he smiled and just was so giddy.

I don't know what it is that specifically changed him.

But this mission was an amazing thing for him.

He is becoming a man.

The kid that has looked and almost acted the same since the day I met him when we were 12 was growing up!

He is amazing and he is so proud to be Senior Companion and a Trainer.

He loved to throw that in the conversation any chance he got. 

He deserves that though.

He is working hard and he is becoming converted.

Not that he wasn't before but I can see a significant change in just over 6 months.

I can't believe it's been that long, it seems like it was just yesterday that he called me from the airport.

We are almost 7 months down, that number just seems to finally be on the higher end.

That is more than half way to 12.

12 is a full year then it's only 1 more time around.

Unbelievable.

So while, yes, sometimes 2 years feels like a lifetime and basically impossible, 

once I look at the big picture I see that not only is it going by faster each day but that this is one of the greatest blessings in both of our lives.

We are both growing so much.

We are learning to trust each other more. 

He is just so grown up.

I am so proud of him and will never be able to express it fully to anyone, even him.

Missions are awesome.

Christmas is awesome.

Getting to talk to Elder Free is perfect.

Merry Christmas Everyone!