One day last summer we were heading to the sprinkler park, but first I needed to get gas. I remember thinking how much I hate to go north to just turn around and go south, but Fred Meyer's is where I always get gas. So off to Fred Meyer's we went. I pulled up in an open spot and just happened to be next to this guy with a cool Army Jeep. First thing that happened was Owen started freaking out! He was so excited! The guy was standing out their pumping his gas so I just randomly said, "My son is freaking out right now...he loves your Army Jeep". During the course of our conversation he told me all about how he bought it from a lady in Eastern Washington and fixed it all up. You could tell he did a lot of work on it. He also talked about how he had memories of him and his Dad riding around in one so that's why he wanted to buy one and fix it up. Then I mentioned that Owen was going to have an Army party for his birthday. He asked me when his birthday was and I told him January 15th and he said that his was January 14th. Then he said, "This Jeep is going to be at Owen's birthday"! At first I was thinking sure, sure, sure and then he gave me his number and I gave him mine. I was so pumped! What a cool encounter! I told Owen, but I also told him that his birthday was 8 months away so a lot can happen during that time.
Fast forward to December and his number was still on the visor of my van. I knew I wanted to text him a little bit before the party, but not before Christmas. A few days after Christmas I texted him...I was super nervous. Seriously we had a one small chat almost 8 months ago....he might not even remember! Within an hour after texting him I got a response and he was still up for bringing the Jeep to his party. I gave him the date, time and our address.
Still thinking this is too good to be true the night before the party I texted him to say that we wouldn't have any cars in the driveway so he would have a place to put the Jeep. He said he was good to go and he was going to drop it off around noon the next day.
At noon on Sunday we were eagerly awaiting the start of the Seahawks game, but I was also nervous about the Jeep not showing up. Michael was super calm and was like...if he comes he comes! Noon came and noon went! I was bummed, but it is what it is. Then a little past 1pm I noticed this van just sitting in the middle of our street. It wasn't one of the party goers so what was going on. Sam was here with the Jeep and his wife was in the van so she could take him home and he could leave the Jeep with us. I was shocked! I mean what a nice guy! Seriously a chance meeting 8 months before and he followed through for a little boy. So cool!
And just as they were leaving he pulled out balloons and a birthday card for Owen!
He was actually late because he had a hard time getting it started since he hadn't driven it in a while. It was raining so he had to have the cover on...he had just had it made especially for the Jeep so I can imagine he hasn't driven a lot since summer.
We thought it would be so much fun to have the Jeep in the driveway as a decoration for the Army Party.
We got pictures with the kids that were at the party when it first showed up. Of course you can see Zeke crying his eyes out. If he is told to stand somewhere for a picture he will not do it. He throws a huge fit and we usually end up holding him, but this time I wasn't having it so I just told him to stand there. I didn't care if he was crying in the picture I'm tired of him getting his way with something so silly!
Sam had said he was only going to go to Costco and then coming back to get the Jeep, but he ended up being gone for hours. The party was over and it was dark out. He called me and said he'd take the roof off since it wasn't raining anymore and let the kids go in the Jeep.
He turned on all the lights so the kids could see them...those running boards have lights!
I was nervous with having the kids in there just because I know he's done so much work on it.
He even put the front windshield down. He said the one his dad had did that exact same thing. I think it's great that he was able to relive those fond memories that he had with his Dad by getting this Jeep. He's even purchased another Jeep!
Talk about my socks being totally knocked off! What a wonderful blessing he was to our son for his 8th birthday.
Thank you Sam!!!
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