This past Thursday morning saw me handing over the kid to strangers. It’s okay though – I paid them to take her. HAHAHAHAHA!!! Okay – joke over.
The kid for the past month has been extremely excited. The past year has been extremely difficult. She’s been bullied, started two new schools (one because of the bullying), hasn’t made friends to chill with during the weekends….it’s been the same for all of us…this move hasn’t been the best experience for any of us….its affordable here though.
To give her a bit of break, we clipped the rope and let her go on her own to Toronto. Okay – not on her own – we used Westjet’s unaccompanied minor program. The days leading up to her flight she had the biggest grin knowing she was going home.
Wednesday saw us in Regina at the Days Inn – Airport West for the night. With a 6:20am flight, I had no desire to travel 2 hours in the morning from our town to the airport to catch said flight. That would be a big con of living in a rural far away city. With the airport literally 4 minutes up the road from the hotel, it was perfect for the kid to get a bit more sleep before.
I sadly did not get the guys name who check us in, but Days Inn management – please see who it was. He was absolutely fantastic. He was jovial, he was professional, he was amazing at this job. He also was from Ontario!! From London he said. He came to Regina for the jobs that are available. Days Inn, if you need me to work at a hotel let me know!! I loved the vibe there…..I need full time though 😉
The hotel room was clean, spacious and decorated so well. The kid is ‘hiding’ under the burgundy foot blanket :l
After checking in we decided to go for a walk around the neighbourhood. We ended up at a fast food place called Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  I honestly wasn’t expected it to be as good as it was. It was amazing. I love Harveys, and have been missing it since we moved to Saskatchewan a year ago. These hamburgers were actually better then Harveys. And Harveys hamburgers are amazing. The only thing that made me go hmmmm, was on twitter @AshworthPR told me that the Scarborough, Ontario location had peanuts to snack on while you wait. For the life of me I couldn’t remember if the Regina location had peanuts. And I like food – so it’s kinda weird I don’t remember appetizers.
A regular hamburger – is TWO hamburgers in the bun!! AMAZING BURGER GO!!!
On our walk we saw some nice foliage in the city.
Lovely flowers in front of Lowe’s home hardware.
At the front of a construction site.
Back at the hotel we went for a lovely evening swim. Had the whole pool to ourselves. It was wonderful. As a 4 am wake up call was coming we went to bed quite early.
Thursday morning, the kid was so excited to go home.  The sidekick stayed at the hotel and slept as we only had one gate pass. He gave her a big sleepy hug good bye. My heart was breaking because I was going to miss her, but I was so excited for her as well. I knew she was going to be surrounded by her aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who missed her all to deeply.
Westjet‘s unaccompanied minor program is fantastic. From check in to passing her off to my brother, we have nothing but good things to say. The kid was given the best treatment from Westjet employees. It’s hard sometimes to give your child to people you know to look after, it’s even more mind numbing to give them to strangers. Thank you Westjet for the best experience.
Smiling – the tag they gave her meant she was leaving to go home soon!!
Last mom/daughter selfie before she boarded.
T for Toronto – literally her hometown. That’s where she was born!!
My last view of her as she followed the westjet employee to the plane.
I asked her on when she landed how the flight was, and she told me the crew were amazing. They asked how she was doing and kept an eye on her. She had a lovely flight and it was all over to soon she said. I think the smarties had something to do with it … 🙂
I fly out with Westjet later, and I look forward to seeing the kid. Going to give her the biggest hug.The sidekick sadly due to health was not allowed to fly or drive. He could have taken a train I think, but a sleeper cabin is more money then I make in 3 months probably…This trip is look at jobs and rents back home. Like I wrote before, this past year has been very challenging.
I know the kid is having the best time. On skype she told me she didn’t want to come back. Her friends and family have given her the love and support she’s been missing this whole year. As I write this, she is staying with a friend for a couple of days just basking in the glow of being home and being with the girls!!
Faith, hope, work, and luck – it’ll all work out 🙂
Disclosure: I was not paid for this post. All my own opinions. This is to let family and friends know our experiences as we travel the road of life 🙂
Three For the Road 