FINALLY! The official approval!

It's official.  Erik has been approved for our trip to Europe in April/May!  I've been in the clear for a couple weeks.  I recently accepted an offer to join a new department.  That acceptance included, on my end, a caveat "I have something planned this spring ....." but, to my delight, it was immediately approved.  So, for two weeks we waited for Erik's approval to join me on our trip (yes, I'd go without him).  Honestly, we've been waiting for longer than just two weeks .... 


Let's start from the beginning ..... in September 2010, Erik and I began talking about taking a trip.  A substantial trip.  A trip of a lifetime ... you know, one of those.  We thought there would be no issues with our company because, honestly, we'd watched numerous individuals in our department do exactly what we were about to propose.  But, we'd be different - we were going to offer over six months notice, an offer to create a contingency plan and dedicate time to make little to no impact to the department.  A sure and resounding YES!  Right?  NO.  Well, it was "No for now."


Erik, the professional he is, calmly thanked them for their time, stated he understood where they were coming from and said he looked forward to revisiting the conversation in 2011.  I, on the other hand, the fiery redhead I tend to be, outrageously spun off the names of the other associates in our department who were approved to do exactly what we had proposed with no notice and with major impact to the department ... I thought by my pointing out this unjust inconsistency they would definitely see things my way.  It wasn't so.  I was, well, defeated. 


Luckily, Erik is a man that can see the silver lining.  He discovered cheap travel insurance and bought it.  That night we booked our flight to Amsterdam.  We were pressing on.  And, even if he wasn't going to show them that he was disappointed and on my side ... he was showing me.


Fast forward four months.  I have a different job (immediate approval) and Erik has been approved....  we are going!


First stop ... and our longest stop:  Amsterdam!  We fly in on Wednesday, April 13th.
We will stay in Amsterdam in an amazing canal apartment for two full weeks!  Unbelievable.


The rest of our trip is beginning to shape up ... but for now, it's on scrap paper, in discussions and in our dreams.... we have two months to book the rest of our trip we will begin to do so this week.


Our goal, throughout our trip, is to capture and share our adventure with friends and loved ones ....  a way for you to be there with us.


Cheers,
Kate & Erik
2/5/11


Some pics of our canal apartment in Amsterdam ....