Through the Rear View Mirror- A Wife's Point of View- Day #1

Am I excited for Tim to start this amazing bike journey. You bet. Am I proud of him for being able to retire from a great job, for him being a great husband and father. Oh yes. After having his mind totally focused on retirement, a major unexpected remodel (toilet flood), and this bike ride..I was ready to jump on a bike and ride into the sunrise! When the Rutledge's told me of their surprise visit, to help send Tim on his journey, I was stunned...how very special was that. The hard part wasn't telling Tim but of keeping him awake till 9:00ish! Christopher, Sarah, Anna and I laid across the hotel beds, had the air conditioner turned to "freeze", and had the TV and phones going. Finally Tim kicked us out of the room, put in his earplugs and was snoring within seconds. Not more than 10 minutes later Tom and Ellie arrived. We woke up "Mr. Grumpy Pants" to show him his special visitors. He will never forget that amazing moment. This secret was so worth making him cranky! Because Tim had "the ride" on his mind he was up wandering about the room throughout the night, no less than 5 times and still up at the crack of dawn. With his BOB (Beast Of Burden trailer) hooked to his bike, Tom offered a prayer for safety in this adventure. Brian joined Tim in dipping their bike wheels into the ocean on the west coast and away they rode. The smiles on their faces told the whole story at that moment. Am I glad he is over the first BIG emotional hump? Oh, yes. Am I loving every moment that I see him living out an extraordinary dream? I don't think I even have to answer that question