American Widow Project - San Francisco!

This last weekend I had the incredible opportunity to attend an American Widow Project get-away to San Francisco! "AWP is a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter………Military Widow to Military Widow."

This was my first time meeting other AWP widows, and I was a little nervous about spending a whole weekend together with girls I didn't know. But my nervousness was soon put to rest! We all got along so great, and Taryn (the founder, age 25), had so many fun things planned for us. I am so grateful I was able to attend, and for all those donors who made it possible.

The $4mil house we stayed in.

Cupcakes waiting for us when we got there.

The girls getting to know each other as we got in on Friday night.

Friends already! Candace, me, Keyris, Leslie.

Saturday morning, heading to the Meditation Center.
Stacia, Candace, me.

Golden Gate Bridge!

Learning to "flow" - Tabbitha, Lacey, me, Nicki.

Kelly, Tina, Kaila, Leslie, Stacia, Taryn.

Elizabeth was our Meditation teacher. She taught us how to be at peace, both mind and body. All of us girls have been through some pretty intense trauma, and it's very difficult to deal with that. I found what she said very helpful. She was an incredibly calm and peaceful woman to be around. I liked her a lot.

Our Indian lunch during the break.

Going for a walk after lunch. It was so beautiful!
Lacey, Sarah, Taryn, Nicki, Sonya

That night we had dinner at John's Grill.
Lacey, me, Nicki, Leslie, Stacia.

We had a police escort, and our cab drivers were volunteer, ex-Vietnam soldiers.

My date, Keyris, and me.

At dinner: Leslie, Keyris, me.

We were given these necklaces at dinner, called unbrokenheart.
The idea is that when your heart is finally mended, you take the gold wire that comes with it, and mend your heart.

Lacey, Tina, Tara (T.T.), and Taryn.

This restaurant was amazing! They treated us so well. The owner and the staff was out front to greet us, everyone came over to say hello, we had the local news there, and when dinner was finally over, they comped it. Well, Taryn, being the sweetheart she is, left our waitress a $400 tip instead! Notice the waitress in the background (in black) crying. :)

Getting relaxed after dinner.
Stacia, Leslie, Tina, Keyris, Nicki, and Candace.

Sunday we got a tour of Chinatown. We saw a local medicine shop (yuck!), the food markets (again, yuck!), how they make fortune cookies (which, incidentally, are only a tradition here in the U.S., not in China), went into a Chinese temple, and had Dim Sum for lunch.

Eating Dim Sum. Kaila, Tina, Candace.

After lunch, we walked from Chinatown down to the Pier. Took about an hour.
We found a fun, old-fashioned penny arcade called Musee Mecanique, and all got our fortunes told. Then, on the pier, I found this sign. Our new friend, Lee Housekeeper, a Press Agent in San Fran and previous manager for The Doors, surprised us by meeting us at the Pier and taking us to The Franciscan. Although we'd already eaten lunch, we weren't about to turn him down. While there, he got a phone call from his son telling him he was going to be a grandpa!
Lee Housekeeper, Taryn

Me, Kaila, TaraKeyris and Stacia aren't sure about the crab legs, shrimp, and mussels.

Lacey, me, and Kaila.

After dinner (homemade fajitas), Taryn gave Kaila a balloon since she was going to celebrate her Angelversary the next week. We all held on to the string and let go together, sending love to our loved one.

Then we enjoyed ice cream, gelato, and sorbet!

But the best parts of the trip were when we all just hung out together, sharing stories and tears and supporting one another.

Sharing pictures of our sweetheart on FacebookMonday morning, before everyone had to head to the airport, we grabbed breakfast at a little coffee shop. We found an article in People Magazine featuring AWP and Taryn!

Everyone headed to the airport, but I was staying an extra day. My old roommate Christine works in San Jose, and she picked me up. Although it was raining, we drove past the Painted Ladies (aka Full House buildings), went for a run in the Golden Gate Park, had clam chowder bread bowls near Pier 39, and got ice cream at Ghirardelli. We were soaked, but had so much fun!

After resting and showering at Christine's place in Palo Alto, we did a little shopping and then went to her ward FHE. After that, we hit In-N-Out Burger, came home and watched The Batchelor, and then zonked out!

It really wasn't a long trip, but I was so exhausted when I got home!

I was so antsy to see Johnny again! I don't think we've ever hugged or kissed each other that much. It would have taken a crowbar to pry us away from each other that first hour. He was giggling and smiling and was so darling! I am so blessed!