The Chronicles of sNICKick: *The Journey*

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The Chronicles of sNICKick:

The Journey

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Preface

    About 17 months ago, while playing on an online game site, sNick & Dena first came to meet each other in the games chat room. This wasn't a dating site, members had Avatars for profile pictures, and no one really expected or looked to 'find love' with anyone there. Most were married, or involved anyways. So it was casual & harmless; they were just 2 more people chatting & laughing amongst their cyber friends.

    It wasn't for another few weeks, on Halloween, that they made the initial direct contact with each other. Since Dena was a friend of friends, sNick sent his first private message to Dena to wish her a Happy Halloween. It was nothing more than a friendly gesture, as he had shared with the rest of his friends there that day. In fact, sNick & Dena didn't talk privately for another 2 months after that.  They would still see each other daily in the chat room though, but that was all there was to it, at the time.

    In early January, after chatting daily in the game forum for those two months, they started to send private messages back and forth intermittently regarding the game. And, by the end of the month, they had shared real photos of each other, started to chat regularly in other social sites, and began to develop an understanding and like for one another. Although they liked each other, and really enjoyed the time they spent chatting, they'd mutually acknowledged in the beginning that neither had any intention of getting into a serious relationship with 'someone we met online- and certainly not from another country!'.

    But, over the next 14 months, sNick & Dena's relationship grew to become a serious commitment. Both were filled with the hopes and dreams of one day meeting each other in person, and finally sharing their lives together.  This is the story of their journey to finally meet, and it's told through today's social media by way of status updates & comments, texts, and personal notes.

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The Chronicles of sNICKick: The Journey
*Today in Saint Louis, Missouri...

"Today is the start of a unique journey for dena...
She is about to make a 1,600 mile journey North
From Missouri, USA, to Ontario, Canada...
Dena is on her way to meet the love of her life in person, for the 1st time,
and to call Canada her new home!"

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Mar 3, 2012:

So today is the Official Day! 17 months after sNICK & Dena 1st saw each other from across a crowded chat room...
A chat room! Really!?

Yes! Really!! Our timelines intersected on a game site, affectionately called CF. It does actually happen, and i'm sure you've heard of someone it's happened to. This is Our Story, but more so, this is Dena's Story.

So now, Dena has her passport in hand, and enough money saved up to cover her journey!! Yaaay!!
Now begins her 1,600 mile journey north, across the border. One that she worked crazy hours to save up for, and has wanted to take unsuccessfully twice, for just over a year now. Now its time for Dena to prepare for her departure, make The Journey to meet the man she's doing all of this for, and to finally come HOME and start her new life!

Now, The Journey begins! And soon, they will unite for the 1st time...

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Mar 4th:

SNICKndena (facebook page status update)
"The time is upon us and our days apart are coming to a sweet end! Time to begin the next chapter in our lives!"

*Comments:
sNICK: WooHoo! Each chapter just keeps on getting better! Can hardly wait to start fiiling the pages with great memories!!
Dena: The chapter before has been amazing, but its clear that its time to unite as one as we were meant to be! Nothings made me happier than life with you!
sNICK: i love you sweetness Cu soon!! :-D

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Mar 9th:

sNICK - I traded in my small converted cottage by the lake for a large raised bungalow in the country, about an hours drive more north. I've been traveling back n forth, 2-3 days at a time, between my old place and our new home for a couple of weeks now, getting it ready for us.

Its not the prettiest place on the outside, but after a week of patching and painting the walls & ceilings on the inside, its beginning  to look and feel like Our Home. Still lots more painting to do tho, but i think i'll be finished in time for Dena's arrival...

Dena's going to love it up here, I have no doubt! The house- Our Home, the forest on the back property just across the stream... I'm sure she'll be happy with me too!

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Mar 12th:

sNICK - Packing up my old house today, and moving into OUR new home tomorrow!! I will be offline for a week or two n will miss my sweetness, but it wont be long now til we're together at last!!

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Mar 13th:

sNICK (facebook  status update)
"Its MOVING DAY!!! :-D
Leaving my lil cottage by the lake n moving to a large bungalow in the country!
The start of a new life with my sweetness! Cu soon my love!"

*Comments:
Dena: Cant wait my love!!!
sNick: k, the boxes n big stuffs loaded!! now to take apart a bed n desk, collect the odds n ends, then we're off to the new house! :-)
Pixieheartkitty: awesome, congrats to you two :)
sNick: Here we go! Off to the new house now...
Dena: Yaaaayyy!!!! :D ....one happy gurl here!!
sNick: thx Pixieheart! :-D
sNick: As good as done now! gotta come back for a few things in the shed and fix the lawn i destroyed when i got stuck, but otherwise, its Home Sweetness Home!!
Dena: Lol!! Yaaayy!!!
Pam W: Congratulations Nick - hope you'll be very happy. Pam & Davexxx
sNick : Thx Pam! :-D

Mar 18th: continued...
sNick: Back today for the final odds n sods! Have the new house kinda setup, but lotsa painting left still. Lovin the new place! The kitchen n dining room alone r the size of the entire old house! plus 2.5 acres of land to play with! :-D ** Will be offline for a week or two til i get internet hooked up at the new house... so take care ev1 n cu laterz!!
Dena: Mixed emotions!! Is it :( or :) or both?? Lol!!

Mar 27th: continued...
sNick: Yaaaay! Im back online now! :-) <<--- its this one!
Dena: Yaaayyyy!!!
sNick: All settled in now! All of the important rooms have been painted, ready for Dena's arrival!! :-)

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Mar 19th:

sNICK - I start working on the kitchen & my sons room this week. Need to scrape, sand, patch, sand again, then prime the walls. I have to paint my sons ceiling too! It's splashed in florescent pink, and for an 11 y.o boy,  it's gotta go!

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Mar 24th:

sNICK - Finished my sons room! Yaaay!! It's the ONLY room that's completely finished! It turned out nice too! I did a faux dark blue & white marble pattern on 2 walls, and the other 2 were more of a faded blue velvet look. I punched up his walls, doors, and window by doing a flat white banding around them...  Back to finishing the kitchen now!

Dena (facebook status update)
"So many new changes ahead. A new life in a new country in a new house with the love of my life! I've asked myself many times...is this just a dream? just to realize that no, this is very real. The time has come to follow my heart and to pave the path for my future. I hope Canada is ready, 'cause here I come!"

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Mar 27th:

sNICK - While I was offline I've patched n painted the Dining room, Bedroom, Fire room, my son's room (which looks CQQL!!), and the kitchen! Working on the Living room now! (Dont worry Dena, there will probably still be some painting left for you!) :-D

I can now say though that I'm finally settled into our new place! Just had the net hooked up, so now I'm making my rounds online & catching up!

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Mar 31st:

sNICK - The kitchen is finished now, and so is the living room! All that's really left is to go around all of the trim in the entire house with a gloss white. I got a lot done in the 1st month on our new place, and now our home is ready for dena's arrival. The 2 bathrooms haven't been touched yet, neither has the spare room, and the kitchen is a solid flat white for now. But, I'm going to leave those 4 rooms til dena's here, so she can put her own personal touch on them. Plus, it'll give us a chance to work on them together, which i know will be fun for both of us!

It's been a long wait, for both of us. 17 months is a very long time to be in a virtual relationship! Had we lived a lot closer, or had our passports & money in order, i know we would have met already. We've already tried a few times, only to realize that it wasn't going to happen at that time. But now everything is in order, and now we will finally bring our 2 lives together.

Although the wait has been the worst part of our relationship, it's also been the best! We have done nothing but talk and talk for hours on end,  day after day, this whole time. You can't help but get to know a person intellectually when the physical element is removed. That's the great part. It provides such clarity to learn about someone from the inside out, and quite frankly, i believe it's the best way!

We know each other so intimately now, on a level i doubt most know their own partners after decades. I know we will make the transition to our life together with ease for sure! I have no doubt that it will be everything we want & expect. We wouldn't still be this committed to each other if we didn't honestly believe that we were meant to share our love and lives with each other.

Now dena is taking care of her personal life there to prepare for her departure, and should be here before her birthday in a few weeks. The anticipation at this point is incredible! Never have I waited so long for something I've wanted so much! Dena is the love of my life, my love of all loves, and the most beautiful person I've ever known. I am so fortunate to have met her, and it's going to be amazing to physically share our lives together .

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Apr 4th:

sNICK - *1st Contact* - Today Dana made a personal call to my parents house while I was there visiting them.
Intending to talk to my mom, she got my dad though, but had a chance to say a quick hello. When my mom returned home, Dana called back. It sounded like they had a nice chat! Now the ice is broken at least, and my mom said she sounded like a nice gurl too, so that's great!
I think it was very courteous of Dana to call in advance of her arrival, it may not have been all that necessary, but it at least shows that she's considerate of them!

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Apr 6th:

Dena (facebook status update)
"Great news! I will be buying my ticket on or about April 22nd.
The funds that will provide plenty will be here by then!! YaaaY!!!!!
I'm gonna miss my friends and family but its time to go."

*Comments:
MJ: Woohoo sista!!!!
Dena: I gave a date! :)
MJ: Its about damn time lmao!!!!
Dena: Hey!! I didnt wanna let my baby down by giving one! I wanted to be sure!
Sara: Where you going?
Dena: Canada!
MJ: I know sis...still happy you finally setting a date
Dena: The butterflies are unreal sis!!!
MJ: Lmao ...it will be just fine sis
Dena: They woke me at 4am!!!
Jw: lol congrats
Dena: Ty jw!! Lol! Im gonna be a hot mess until i get this done!!
sNick: Yaaay! *how do i look!!!?? 0.o
Dena: Lol!! You look perfect to me!!
sNick: then i guess im ready too! :-D
Dena: I hope so!!
sNick: was going to correct that last comment... i KNOW im ready!!
Dena: Great minds!! Was thinking to change it too!! I KNOW im ready!!

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Apr 7th:

Dena (facebook status update)
"I woke up today with a fresh look on life. No longer looking at what life is today but instead, thinking more about life in my near future. Im stepping from one world to another very soon! This is all very exciting...a time I won't ever forget."

"A penny for your thoughts? I have three options of travel to Canada...
1) Plane, 2) Train, or 3) Bus.
If you had a choice, which would you pick as the best way and why! Vote 1, 2, or 3! Thanks!!!"

*Comments:
sNick: Am i allowed to vote? 0.o As much as i hate flying, it would be the quickest route, so i'm going to be partial to the plane! :-) Trains are CQQL tho, relaxing n watching the scenery along the way; Buses are muggy, uncomfortable, and very long!
Dena: Lol! Yep, your thought counts! Why doesnt your answer surprise me? Lol!!
sNick: cuz it gets you here sooner!
MJ: Plane would be fastest but train would be cooler
Dena: I agree sis!!
Ranae: plane
Lynn: #2 that would be an awesome experience
Jw: Train
sNick: DANG!!! im losing big time here!!!
Ranae: Plane so that you can get there faster, we can finally see a relationship that works, and so that Nick will finally stop driving us crazy with his anticipation :D lol
Dena: Lmfao Ranae!!!!!
sNick: lmfao2 Ranae!! (i knew u liked me!!) I didnt realize that my 'busting at the seams' was so obvious tho!?
Ranae: lol I am just so happy for you both
Dena: Thank you Ranae! We are both very happy!
Amber: Ohhh a train sounds fun! Planes are scary to me lol. << not much help.
sNick I'll admit i will be worried if Dana took a plane, but a woman traveling alone overnight on a train isnt any more soothing! *I'd go get you myself sweetness n join you in your Journey (at least I'd be in full control of your safety), but they won't let me back in if i leave.... so that won't help!!! :-)
Dena: Aw baby! I will be ok!!
Christine: Train...its an adventure. Take pics, document your journey, and enjoy.
Dena: Thanks mom!! Mwahs!!
sNick: Im glad my GurL is out with her bros having 'One last night out!' It's important! Have fun my love n get home safe! To your Brothers: Keep her safe til she gets here, and i'll bring her back happier than you've ever known her!
TVitley: #1 just because I have never flown before lol
Marie: A train sis hugz from LadyH
Dena: Woot!! Another train vote!! Lol!! Hugs sis!!
Souchtka: Option 1. Get there already n experience the inevitable. U both r beautiful ppl. The anticipation is obvious n overwhelming. Now is the time.2 finally enjoy each other. I waited 20 years n me n mine have alot of regret of missing out on so much we cudda had with each other. Dont do that 2 urselves. Go.... And enjoy each other already. B4 he turns blue!
sNick: lol Souchtka! Too late! Im blue from head to toe already, LQQk!! But thx tho!! :-D
Souchtka: Sumbody get him sum ice!
Dena: i got it covered!! lol!
Sara: I vote plane. Planes are great.
Dena: I'm torn over the two...a train would be fun, seeing the country on my way out, but...a plane would end this wait quickly!! we've waited a long time already!! thanks everyone for the input!! mwahzzz!!

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Apr 10th:

sNICK (facebook status update)
"Only 2 WEEKENDS remaining, and this will all become a REALITY!!"

*Comments:
Dena: Lol!! Ready sNICK?
sNick: i think so!! Cant wait much longer either way! ... but i will!!! :-)
Kathy: So delighted for you two!!! : ) Folks are quick to share the "horror" stories of online meetings...they brush off the good ones. I, for one, am so grateful to be witness to one of the good ones !
Dena: Aw!! Ty aitesa!!!! Im glad you can share with us too!!
sNick: Thank you very much kathy, that is sweet to hear! :-D

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Apr 13th:

sNICK (facebook status Countdown)
"10 DAYS LEFT!!! OMG!!"

*Comments:
Dena: Cu soon Baby!!!! XOX
sNick: NINE.... :-)
sNick: EIGHT.... !!!
Dena: Yipeeeee!!! Lol!! (but who's counting!!!)
sNick: SEVEN!!! Last week to go!! :-D
Dena: Woot woooot!!!!
sNick: SIX days left now! Not sure which i feel more, anxious or nervous!? Either way, i'm more excited to see my love than anything!!
Dena: No reason to be nervous!! Hehehe! Yeah right...who am i kidding?!! Im a nervous wreck!!!!
sNick: lol sweetness! Its a good thing i like Butterflies, cuz they're everywhere!!! O.O
Dena: :D
sNick: FIVE days til my love comes my way! I can now count them on 1 hand!! :-D
Dena: Yipeeeee!!!!
sNick: FOUR days left!! (k, maybe 5, but hopefully 4) Its really starting to sink in now! @.@
Dena:  Lmao!!
sNick: THREE!!! WoW!! maybe I should go start the car now?? 0.o
Dena: Get Grease Lightning ready to go 'cuz Sandy's gonna be ready for Danny at the Falls!!!! Lol!!!
sNick: Grease Lightning is all fixed n ready to go Sandy!!!
sNick:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK63eUyk-iM&feature=fvwrel *Grease - Greased Lightning* video.
sNick: Well, since we now know the 'FINAL departure plans', I guess I should reset the countdown til Dena is actually leaving...
T minus FOUR days!!!?
sNick: Only THREE days left til Dena begins her Journey to Canada, where I will be waiting for her on the other side!!
Dena: Monday, i get the car, tuesday, i say my goodbyes, wednesday, i'm heading north!!!
sNick: Yep, it's Monday!!!! TWO days to go!!! WoW!!
Like cresting the top of an enormous roller coaster for the 1st time, the long slow wait is about to end, and the thrills of the ride are about to hit us full speed!
Nervous? YES!! Anxious? OH YEAH!! Excited? ABSOLUTELY!!
Worried? HELL NO!!
We've both studied and checked out this 'Ride of a Lifetime' meticulously for a long, long time!
We know we're ready for this, we are fully prepared, and are looking forward to all that it will bring! :-D
Dena: Thats right my love... u jump, i jump!! Im ALL IN, so take my hand...its time!!!
Lizaida: awe i freakin love u guys so much and im so happy for you both. :) may god bless u guys always and keep you both as happy in years to come as you are now.
sNick: lol, thanks Liz!! We are looking forward to every day that will come our way!! :-D
sNick: ONE DAY LEFT!! @.@
Thats it!! This is the last day for us to count being apart!
Tomorrow morning, Dena will hop into her car and head out on her Journey!
A day later, we will begin to count the days we've been together!!! :-D

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Apr 17th:

Dena (facebook status update)
"Penny for your thoughts" continued...

*Comments:
sNICK: Dana suggested a great travel option to me yesterday; Why not rent a car!!?? Bring herself up to the border in it, leave the car there, then cross the Rainbow Bridge, where i will be waiting for her on the other side!! :-D i LoViT!!!
Souchtka: Omg how romantic!!!!! Luv it! Lol nick wud b the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow bridge lol...
sNick: Thx Souchtka, i thot so too!! And lmao btw, it would be more like me standing at the end of the Rainbow bridge for MY pot of gold! (but a clever analogy no less!) :-)
Souchtka: Oooooh I like that even better. U better have like a small gold trinket 4 her. Women LUV jewerly!
Dana: Lmao Souchtka!!! Hes all i need waiting on the other side. Silver and gold cannot compare to the treasure i have found there in his heart! I would happily cross Rainbow Bridge to meet him on the other side! :D
sNick: Thats my GurL!! :-) i love your love sweetness, and i love loving you!
Dana: Always and Forever! XOX

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Apr 18th:

sNICK - I cant let this day go by without noting that today is Dena's Birthday! It didnt work out that we could be together for this one, but we're only off by 5 days, so it's not as though we'll completely miss it. Still, it's her 40th birthday, and for most people it's a significant milestone! Usually, it's an age of reflection. A time when you look back on  your life, and assess how well it's turned out so far.

I really wanted to be with dena to share in this '1st Birthday of The Rest of Our Lives Together'. With all that's happened in our lives together over the last year and a half, the things we missed out on and couldn't do simply because of the shear distance apart;  I'd hoped we would have been together on this particular day. 

Still, we will make the most of it, as we always have with every day since we met. It will be a Happy Birthday for dena! I know she will look at this day as the beginning of a new decade with a fresh start on life; a future full of so much unconditional love, respect, dignity, and adoration.

** Happy Birthday Sweetness! **

I love you, and will see you very soon!

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Apr 20th:

Dena (facebook status update)
"Last Friday living in the States!! Going to finish my packing this weekend and come Monday, get my car!!! Its about DAMN TIME!!!!!"

*Comments:
MJ: Here here sista it is about damn time
April: love ya sis!!! glad ur finally making ur dream come true
sNick:  <<---- ALL smiles!!! :-D
April: congrats 2 the both of u. always make every second count! xoxox
sNick: Thx April!! :-)
Dena: Thank you to everyone who has stood by my side throughout this. All of it means a lot to me!
sNick: to me too! thx everyone!
Andy: good luck my friend
Dena: Thanks Andy!!
sNick: Thx Andy!

sNICK - It's Friday night! And, as dena said, it's the "Last Friday living in the States!" for her. There's a few more things that Dena needs to do and wait for before she leaves, but otherwise, she is all set and ready to go!
We have pretty much concluded our plans now, and know how Dena is going to proceed with her journey.

The Journey, in brief, is planned to go as follows:
* Dena will rent a car on Monday. On Wednesday morning, and over the course of about 2 days, she will drive herself up to the US/Canada boarder. After dropping off the rental car, she will then take a cab across the bridge.
* About 3 hours before Dena expects to be at the border, I will drive down to meet her on the Canadian side. After we've met, fallen to pieces, then collected ourselves; we will drive back to our house.
Nice and simple!

But, we do have many things planned between us along her journey, and we will keep our friends and family updated as best as we can on our facebook pages.
Most of the specifics about the journey though will have to wait until we're both safely home, and settled in.
This way, we can gather our experiences from the comfort of our home, and share them in a more detailed and chronological order later.

Since we've both been waiting well over a year to finally be together, it should go without saying that we'll have a fair amount of 'catching up' to do! So, it may likely take a few weeks before the story is put together.

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Apr 21st:

Dena (facebook status update)
"Saturday...packing day!!! Yaaayyy!!! Time to get this done so i can be on my way by wednesday morning!!"

*Comments:
Cheryl: where u going sweetie? <3
Dena: moving to canada wednesday.
Laz: ...don't forget to pack your paperwork sis;)
Dena: i have a fanny pack for that! lmao!
sNick: <<--- :-D
Laz: lmao...
MJ: Sis I think you may need a suitcase for all the paperwork you have. A Fanny pack won't be big enough
Dena: lmao sis!! Im like Dora, my fanny pack holds all i need, ever!!!!
sNick: By the sounds of things, it think i better get out my 'Magic' marker!!!

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Apr 23th:

Dena (facebook status updates)
"Its Monday, time to get my rental car and pack up!!! Two days left and counting!!
~ Got my car!!! Ready? yep! set? You bet! All thats left is to gooooo!!!!!"

*Comments:
April: yay sis
Dena: Thanks sis!! Im VERY excited!!!
April: i bet u r
Sondra: Get in that car and haul butt!!! Be carefull BFF! Hope it's a great journey!! We know it will be a better life!
Dena: thank you BFF!!! huggies!!!!!!!!
sNick: Thanks Sondra!! :-D
Jessica: Faith is putting all your eggs in God's basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch. - Ramona C. Carroll
Jessica: Good Luck!!! I know you will be very missed here...but very happy there I am sure!! :-) Travel safe and keep in touch! XOXOXO
MJ: Can't wait to see you sista...I also want to see a pic of you two together at last. I'm so happy for the both of you
Dena: :)
sNick: Thanks MJ, Dana can hug u for me n shake Johns hand too! :-D Dont keep 'er up too too late eh! o.0 :p
MJ: No worries Nick I won't
Dana: Yaaaaay!! Gonna see my sista and bro john!!!! Such dear friends, my strongest supporters!!! I luv you guys!!!!!
MJ: Can't wait sis :D
sNick: Prob goes without sayin, but.... Dont forget to take some pics!! :-D
Dena: Hey sis...im still moms favorite!!! Lmao!!!! You heard my excitement on the phone yesterday, well you cant imagine it today!!!
MJ: Lmao sis I'm still mom's prettiest :p imagine what your excitement will be like once you are in his arms sis...you may have to find a deserted spot on the way home to do your paperwork...lol
sNick: lmao MJ, anxiety may have to give way to comfort and privacy! I think the paperwork can wait a coupla hours longer... maybe!? 0.o
MJ: Lol Nick maybe being the key word...o.O
sNick: lol, yep! But Fireworks are illegal in Canada on non-holiday's... NoT the kinda handcuffing i had in mind!!! @.@
MJ: Lmao
Dena: Sooo not commenting!!! Lol!!
Kathy: I love ya both! Hug each other for me too!
MJ: we will

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Apr 24th:

Dena (facebook status update)
"Last night here, tomorrow the journey begins!!! I love you all! Cu vsoon Baby!"

*Comments:
Kimberly: What a thrill to be following your story! Drive safe and may an angel be on your shoulder all the way to your rainbow :)
sNick: Thank you very much Kimberly! We're happy to share with those who care! *My Angel will be looking me in the eyes in only 2 days!! 0.0 Cu you there Sweetness!
Jw: so you're driving all the way to Canada
sNick: We're meeting at the border Jw. Dana will leave the rental car there, then cross the Rainbow Bridge, where i will be waiting for her on the other side... then we will both head Home together from there! :-D
Sara: So happy for you two
sNick: Thank you Sara! :-D
Dena: Thank you all for your support! Either Nick or I will be keeping everyone updated on my journey! Tomorrow, the journey may end but the storys just beginning!
sNick: I'll do what i can while i have the extra day in front of the PC, once i leave to meet Dana tomorrow tho, updates may likely go quiet for a while!

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Apr 25th:

sNick (facebook status update) 1030am
"Dana is on her way now!! ...
*The Journey* has officially started!!
I know she's a lil nervous, but super excited too! (so am I, of course!). :-D
Now, as the miles continue to grow,
away from the life she used to know,
the distance between Dana and I
grows shorter n shorter to our new life...

Thank you to everyone who has cheered Dana on :-D
It's made it even more fun for her to share it with her friends here!
Remem! She's driving!! so go easy on the txt msgs! I want Dana here safe n sound!
*I'll post all future updates to this post when i can, until we're home."

*Comments:
sNick: While im waiting for Dana to reach her 1st check point on the way, i will get busy on finishing things up here! Will let you know, when i do! :-)
Lynn: It is so exciting seeing two beautiful people come together. I wish you both all the happiness in the world!!
Kathy: All I ask is that you love her! Hugs
sNick: Thank you Lynn! :-) I will do no less Kathy!
Sabby: ...GO DANA GO GET UR MAN... Nick u better love her or else.. (dont ask, havent gotten that far in my threat yet) ..but it has me comin to Canada...
sNick: lol Sabby! There is no doubt that i do, and will!!
**Msg from Dena**
First rest stop in illinois!
I will post as often as possible love! I dont have a car charger so im trying to keep my battery full!
On my way ...home to you!
sNick: Yaay! My GurL is well on her way!! :-D
**Msg from Dena** 7:00pm
The trip has been great so far! Gonna be at sistas in the hour!
Its taking forever!!! Lol!
**Msg from Dena** 930pm
Hi baby!! Im having a great time with sis and john! Did you see our pic? Lol!! I love you!
**Msg from Dena** 10:00pm
Hi babe! Leaving sis now! That was great!!
Im planning to go as far tonight as possible so i know an exact time for us to meet!! Im so excited!! Tomorrow i will see the sun set with you!
Id like to go a few more hours! I dont wanna sit! I wanna get there! Lol! I cant wait for this to be over! Babe, i just wanna drive until im ready to stop!
**Msg from Dena** 10:30pm
It was so wonderful hugging sis!! Lol!! Im so happy baby!!!!!!!! i have another 7 hours or so to drive to the border. I plan to drive 2 hrs or so and stop. That would put me 5 hours from the Border when i start out in the morning.
sNick: It will take me about 4 hrs to get to the bridge, so it will likely work out that we will both wake up n leave at the same time to meet at the border! :-D We dont know when yet, her phones almost out, so we'll have to wait til she's at the hotel to charge it before we can conclude the time. Glad to know Dana is really enjoying The Journey! Thx MJ n John for keeping that smile going!! (send me pics!!) plz!
*Will update our meeting time in about 4 hrs!

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Apr 26th:

sNick (facebook status update) 5:30am

**Msg from Dena** 4:00am
Hi my love! Your tired gurl has made it 20 minutes outside of cleaveland!!!!
Im almost home now baby!!!!! I love you!!!
Going to sleep then back as soon as im up!! Cu tomorrow!
sNick: WoW! My GurL made up some miles last night! :-D
Since it's only been just over an hour since Dana's msg, and she's asleep, I'll let her rest! I'm sure Dana will post on her own behalf once she wakes!
In the meantime, I'll get myself ready here, cuz...
Today's THE day! :-D
The day that Dana & I finally see each other face to face, for the 1st time!
18 long, but great months since we met by chance on CF... We Will Be!
Today *The Journey* comes to its conclusion, and everything we've known becomes a reality!!
The suspense will soon be over!! :-D
sNick: *RING RING* "This is the front desk with your wake up call"
sNick: Hmm... my sweetness must be really tired! I'm getting anxious with anxiety! Ive been up since 5am waiting for that 'Magic Message'! Wakey wakey my love, time to LIVE those dreams!! :-D
sNick: Yaay!! Dana's awake now!! :-) Now to figure out the WHEN!!
Sabby: Oh let us know... i want pix of Niagra... n with both of u together there... IM.SO EXCITED IM GONNA.BURST
April: So does this make me cupid? Lmao
sNick: We're going to take this day for ourselves, but the next time we post here, we will both be home n settled in!
Thx ev1 for your comments! Keep posting if u like, we'll read them when we're back. Tc! :-D
*Music video to Dana, one from our fave movies, and fitting for this moment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oKPYe53h78&feature=colike
Mandi: awhhhs yay
Sabby: IT TOOK U LONG ENOUGH...ok can i burst now?

att - sNick: Dana and I made our arrangements in private to meet about 8pm at the Rainbow Bridge. It was time that we took this final day to ourselves. I was at the Canadian side of the bridge gates by 7:45, and found a small side lot looking down on the traffic coming through the gates.  I thought it was the perfect place to wait for my sweetness... until a Border Agent tapped on my window and said otherwise.

Knowing I had an hour at least before Dana was going to arrive at my side of the bridge, I drove in town for a drink n refresher at the Subway up the hill. I sat and slowly drank my pop while waiting for my next update from Dana.

sNick: K, since I'm at the falls waiting, I guess I could share a quick update... I'm at the falls, waiting!! lol. Danas very near, won't be long now!
sNick: WooHoo!! We're now on opposite sides of the bride!!! Bfn!! :-D
KoFy: OMGAWD! I'M GFKN CRYING HERE! LIKE A DAM BABY! SO DAM BEAUTIFUL! *SOBS*
Mandi: Woohoo does happy dance u take good care of my dana mr snickers u hear me or this lil mama gunna kick ur butt n I wanna see u guys here this summer no excuses cuz I can't travel :0
April: keep us updated

att - sNick: Since Dana was on her way across the bridge now, I drove back to the private parking lot and popped my trunk. Soon, I'll see Dana pull up to the gate in her cab, stop for a few minutes, then drive up into the parking lot to meet me. The wait did seem like forever, but then... there she was!!! My phone rings, it's Dana, telling me she's 'pulling up to the booth now,  see you in a few minutes!'

Now I could see her cab at the gates! Wow! It's all about to happen right now! I'm wondering if she'll dive outta the van doors onto me! O.o lol. I know she's excited, I could hear it in her voice on the phone... nervous too! But, here we go!!

I watched from the side of my car as the cab pulled away from the gate, and then it  turned into the Border Agency parking lot off to the side? I'm thinking, "Um, why are you turning in there sweetness? I'm up here!" .  Dana called quickly and said they want to see her in immigrations.

Hearing the tone in her voice, this wasn't good! I closed the trunk and got back into the car. Looking down on the building, I wasn't able to see Dana inside. I thought, 'Dana's going to be sitting there for a while, I'm not going to sit up here while my love is down there alone!' So I drove out of the lot and up the hill into town, and made my way back down the USA entry road and pulled up to the Border Agency building.

While walking past the large glass widows in front of the building, I could see the back of who I was sure was my sweetness!! Dana couldn't see me, her eyes were fixed on the front counter. But yep! There she is! I was so happy that we were within sight of each other - finally! I was even tempted to tap on the window and wave! But I thought, "Nah! We've gotta meet eye to eye for the first sight!"

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~Canada Border Services Agency~

Permission to Enter Canada:

**DENIED**

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sNick: Sorry friends, have good news n bad news... good news: we finally got to see each other... bad news: Canadian fn customs wouldn't let dana thru! We're both going back in opposite directions now... bye my love, we'll try again asap! Our pic is in our album (trying to look 'happy'). I'll be offline for a while, Tc ev1, sorry it wasn't a happy ending!
Sabby: WHAT WHY NO, THEY CANT DO THAT WTF
Lynn: Omg are you serious??!!!! They wont let her in?!!!!!
Sabby STUPID CUSTOMS A**HOLES...
KoFy: wait... what? customs? F**KERS!
Sabby: They wouldnt fn let her.thru...stupid frz
Michelle N: wtf why? f**kers!
KoFy: so what the hell are they holding her for??? how long? OOMMGG NUTS!
Mandi: Dammit let my dana through :(

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Apr 27th:

sNICK (facebook status update)
"Dana didnt have all of the required docs to stay for the summer, so they sent her back over to the US.  It would have been ok if it was a couple of weeks, but thats hindsight, and what we get for being honest!!  Its nobody's fault but stoopid customs/immigration laws, and the arrogant n ignorant border patrol puppy trying to shine his new badge! I asked for his supervisor, but he was even more ignorant! I hope you're all happy! Great job!! Canada is so much more safer now because of you!

Now that Dana is on the Canadian Immigrations shyte-list,  we will have to be extra prepared and organized for the next attempt. They even threatened to ban Dana from ever entering Canada again, if she got it wrong the next time too! Really!!?? Is this what we are protecting our borders from?  from LoVe!!?? Wow, maybe Canada has enough incredibly happy couples already?

For now, Dana is on her way back to Missouri. It will certainly be a very long drive for her. I know for me driving back, still breathing in her perfume that lingered on my clothes, i'd glance over to the empty seat beside me and realize that my love of loves wasnt coming home with me.

We're going to drop this story for now; Dana & I will need some time to collect ourselves, and our thoughts. I know I'm crushed and deflated, and i could tell Dana was too. To add to the utter disappointment, Dana and I emptied ourselves both financially and emotionally for over 2 months to make this journey. Now, we will have to start all over again, and it will take some time before we're ready for another try. But, we'll do what we need to do to fulfill our destiny; and in time, we will try again."

We did at least get to meet & be with each other finally, even if only for an hour. And, we got in a lot of hugs n kisses too, which was great! Now, we at least know without question, that what we have and feel is real- as well as a nice pic of us as a keepsake.

*Comments:
Sabby: we should get this bs on the news... call it True Love Held Hostage By Canadian Customs..
Michelle N: ya there aint no customs f**kers in fairytales dammit
KoFy: *cryyyyyying* nooooooooooooo!

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THE END!

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Thank you to everyone for taking an interest in this story, and 'liking' it too!

Almost a year to the day, it turns out that Dana just needed a cyber safety blanket to get her through her divorce and rebuild her self-confidence. (read "Wounded Wings" @ http://www.protagonize.com/poem/wounded-wings for more) It's ok though, she's found a new sucker to help her pass the time.

Make the most of the misery in Missouri- it's all you've got left now!

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