Today I Love flying solo...sort of. Slice of Life 2014 - Day 24

Thanks to the good people at Two Writing Teachers for sponsoring the Slice of Life Story Challenge.  Today is Day 24 and I flew solo for the first time today.

Those who know me well, know that I absolutely, positively, without a shadow of a doubt...ADORE going to the movies!  I've had it on my Today I Love list before, but today was different.  I don't have a fantastic memory, so I can't tell you the first movie that I ever saw on the big screen, but I do have lots of memories of all us kids being loaded up in the station wagon to go to the drive in theater.  We'd throw the sleeping bags in the back where the seats were laid down, park the car backwards, hook the speakers on a nearby window, and pajamas already donned, reach into the large paper grocery bag full of popcorn...butter already leaking through.  

I remember clearly how frightened I was when we saw "The Poseidon Adventure" - my generation's version of "The Titanic".  

I'm not sure what my dad took me to see, but I remember going along with my sisters and brother as they all waited in line to see "Jaws" while we were on a vacation in Florida of all places!  

I remember seeing "Footloose" with a friend while home on a college vacation and him telling me right in the middle of the movie that, oh by the way, one of my favorite teachers had passed away.

I remember taking our own two wee ones to see "The Lion King", "Toy Story", and all the sequels.  We made the very poor decision to see "Toy Story 3" the summer before the Man Boy would be going off to college...I cried like a baby as Andy packed up his toys, realizing that my son would soon be doing the same.

There were many many years in between times that we couldn't go to the movies...just too expensive for a growing family on a limited budget.

But even with the tears and the cost, I still love the movies.  I love everything about going to the movies...the popcorn, the candy (confession...I smuggle my own in!), the previews, the lights dimming and the music starting up...and yes, I am a credits watcher.  I love every single moment of it.  I love the temporary escape into another world.  I love the story. 

As soon as I saw the trailer some months ago for "Saving Mr. Banks" I knew I had to see this film.  I couldn't quite squeeze it into Christmas Break, so figured I'd just wait until it made it to the dollar theater, hoping Spring Break wouldn't be too late. 

Today I had my mind made up.  Before I started my busy week of catching up, I would go see this movie!  I called this friend and that one and the answer was the same everywhere I turned.  

"No, sorry...busy!"  

"Nope, no can do...have to take the kids to the ____."  (fill in the blank with appointment of your choice.)  We all do it...schedule every imaginable appointment known to man kind in these five precious days.

The Man had to work of course, and he'd already said he didn't really want to go to this particular film.  My Ol' Man had already seen it.  My Running Girl is off running around at college.  The Man Boy has his own college classes and work today.  

So...today was my day to fly solo...for the first time ever.  

Oh, how glad I am that I did!  It was a bit awkward at first...I was so afraid people would look at me funny...going to a movie all by myself, but there were actually a few other folks there by themselves as well.  My friend Jaci says she goes to the movies alone, and My Ol' Man does it all the time. I had to walk it through in my head first to figure out that I had to get the ticket, then visit the women's, THEN go buy the popcorn, then go find the seat.  And once I got to the seat, there was no one to hold my popcorn while I got settled!  

But once the lights dimmed and the music started, all was right with my world.   

I munched.  

I sipped.   

I laughed.  

I cried.  

I loved it.  

Would this be my preferred method of movie watching?  Maybe not for every new film that comes out, but...today?

Today I love flying solo.