Earlier this week, I shared this post from May 23, 2012 with one of my best good friends Karen as we were talking about how up in our feelings we are about graduation. It’s 362 days away in case anyone was doing the ‘days away’ calculation like I was at graduation Friday night.

I mean, come on. Nolan has been Connor’s ride or die since kindergarten. They’ve done all the school things together, had play dates together, plays sports together and now they’re talking about life after school things together. Most recently, Nolan took on the incredible task of earning his pilot’s license. If only I’d had as much confidence at 17!

So Friday, as I’m trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that CJ was going to be participating in graduation that night as a junior honor guard (i know. his dad has officially labeled him a nerd.), I get a text asking if he can fly with Nolan Saturday. In a plane. With no-one else. I stared at my phone for bit wondering if I was about to make the very worst decision of my life and then because CJ knows I can say no to nearly zero things he asks me for, I was something like, ‘dude. i’m terrified but this is such a great opportunity. roger for takeoff.’ < I didn’t say that last part but now I wish I would have.

Thankfully, CJ was cool with me meeting up with them at the little baby airport we have here in Allegan and you know there was a zero percent chance of me not documenting the event. Nolan was quite literally 24 hours from having received his license. He hasn’t even taken his MOM in the air yet. She was so kind about the whole thing, too. I mean, she’s kind about everything but she was just so happy Nolan chose CJ to be his first ever wing man. I probably should have told her CJ knows nothing about flying but I guess that’s why Maverick had Goose. It’s not like Goose really knew what he was doing, right?

I’m not sure I can share about all the shenanigans that happened before takeoff so as not to terrify his mom before her first flight but I had the best time. They were so fun to watch and did all the Nolan and Connor things they usually do. Nolan was so calm and nonchalant and I still wish I had that much confidence. They took to the friendly skies just after 7:30ish and I was crying and praying at the same time knowing this was another one of those moments that I had literally zero control. I got a couple pictures along the way (an aerial view of my house for the very first time!) and a video from Karen of a flyover at their house. Hearing his dad, Jack’s, pride was so overwhelming. What a gift.

I received the ‘Alive’ text just after 9 p.m. and asked CJ what the best part was and he said just talking to Nolan and seeing the lake. They flew to Lake Michigan! I was actually totally jealous.

And this from a Snap of CJ’s. Keep those hands on the controls for crying out loud!