Looking back on two weeks in Vancouver

Nicole and I wanted to collaborate on a quick post reviewing our recent trip to the Olympics.  Nicole’s comments are in this color.

First and foremost, we want to extend a huge thank you to our gracious hosts throughout the Olympics: Luan and Sarah Le .  Without their generous hospitality (and residency requirements for entering ticket lotteries!), this trip wouldn’t have even happened. (And let’s not forget Nesta, the Le family pup, for her generosity–mainly letting us have her spot on the couch and her bed for two whole weeks!)

I am pretty sure Luan is relieved that the games are winding down to a close.  He worked his butt off while we were there, and got very little sleep for two weeks straight.  Thank you for opening your home to us, and working us into your schedule.  We had a great time, and hope to have you here in the future. I’m sure he’s reading this and saying “yeah-okay” in his wonderful half-laugh…memories of which had Aaron and I rolling in laughter on the flight home. Apparently Luan has been doing this for as long as he and Aaron have been friends, but Aaron only realized it once I pointed it out. We will miss it!!

In addition to providing spicy meals with very few vegetables, non-stop transportation assistance and a vastly expanded spectrum of sarcasm by which to judge ourselves, Sarah was key in helping select the engagement ring — she and Nicole happened to have a casual, “what if…?” conversation earlier in the trip.  So Sarah, thank you very much for everything you did to make our trip enjoyable! We were two peas in a pod! I’m so happy I met you…you will be a dear friend for life (especially now, and I guess we have Aaron to thank for that, huh? Well done honey!)

(I soooo wish you put that picture of Sarah with the crazy eyes during our hike here. Don’t fret readers! You can find it in our photo gallery!)

I think it will come as no surprise that the highlight of the trip, for me, was proposing to Nicole during the speed skating event on Wednesday.  I am working with the venue to get a copy of the video segment where I proposed to Nicole in front of about 8,000 people.  When I get a copy, I will post it here. I *guess* this was the highlight for me too. It was an amazing, amazing two weeks. Two weeks out of an amazing two and a half years. It’s funny to look back now to the conversation I had with Aaron on our way out to Vancouver, “Honey…I’m worried. Figure skating is my very first event once we get there. I’m afraid the rest of the two weeks is going to be a total let down compared to that.” Hee hee, if I only knew then what I know now!!

We brought home very few souvenirs, however: every time we tried to go to The Bay downtown, the line for the Olympic Superstore was wrapped around the block.  And the smaller outlets at malls were sold out of everything except kids’ gear.  So, we’re hoping that once the Olympics are over, the online store will be stocked up again (I’m sure there will be overstock from somewhere) and we can order all of the stuff (mitts for everyone!) that we couldn’t get while we were there.  If not, well, we have lots of pictures (you are SO lucky you didn’t say something snide about the amount of pictures Sarah and I took), and lots (TONS!) of memories.

As we write this, there are still some important Olympic events to come (*cough* hockey *cough*…and re-runs of the women’s skating that I missed while we flew home!), but we certainly had an adventure that will last a lifetime.

Finally, we want to thank everyone who has sent along their best wishes and congratulations. Your support and thoughtfulness means a lot to us!

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