Lauren Lejeune

It’s Christmas time, the holiday season — whatever you personally want to call it, people are celebrating. Christmas trees up, the halls are decked, and odds are there’s enough candy lying around in ornate bowls to make everyone in your house prediabetic. 

There’s also an influx in travelers. From one house to the next, maybe the next state over, or, if you’re like my family, you get in the car and drive across the country — 1,600 miles in 24 hours for a nonstop car ride that will put your family bond to the test. Cheaper than flying, not so cheap on the psyches of the Lejeune family. 

Most of my father’s family live in Louisiana. A tight knit group, I’ve always enjoyed the time that I get to spend with the rowdy Cajun bunch. I also have an older brother in Louisiana. He and his wife just welcomed their first child, Delilah Jade, and she is the epitome of cuteness. It was imperative that we made it to Louisiana this Christmas so we could meet her. 

Last year was the second time we’ve made the long drive down South. We were there for my brother’s wedding. My dad decided we were going to drive straight through. I had never been on a drive that long without stopping before, and let me just say, it is not for the faint of heart. I don’t believe that had been the original plan, but after driving 10 hours, my dad wasn’t tired and kept going. Then, my mom was rested up and ready to drive for a while. At that point you’ve got a handful of hours left so you might as well keep going. I was allowed to drive one time before my dad deemed me an unfit driver for the interstate and promptly took back over. I guess that’s what you get when you’re born and raised in small town USA.  

We were a growly bunch by the time we reached our destination, to put it lightly. But it didn’t bother my dad much; that’s how we made it home from that trip. 

So, this time around, I was a little apprehensive about getting in the car. Thankfully, my mom talked my dad into stopping for the night, and I knew we were already off to a better start. I had lots of work to keep up on, so we settled in and began our journey. 

Everything was going just fine till we got between Chugwater and Cheyenne. Crouched down on the side of the road were two men dressed in head to toe black with their hoods up. We flew right passed them, there was no way we were stopping. My mom had heard stories of people sitting on the highway like that and jumping people when they would stop to help. It was unsettling to think that that could happen in our state, but then again, if I could cut the bottom half of Wyoming off and give it away, I’d do it. 

We didn’t have any issues after that. When we reached the bottom of Colorado, we found a hotel and graciously slept for sixish hours before continuing our journey. Texas is large enough to be its own country, and its mind-blowing that it took us almost a full day to drive across. I commend anyone who can drive in a city. The Dallas- Fort Worth area and its drivers made my blood pressure spike, and I wasn’t even the driver. 

Pulling up to my grandparents’ house after the long drive is the best feeling in the world. It’s home away from home, a little chunk of southern paradise. The food is great, the people are better. 

My niece though? She is the best part. Watching my brother be a dad is so special. Being in the Auntie Club is also the best club to be in. I’d never really considered moving away from Wyoming, but now the idea is a touch more tempting. I’m more than willing to make the straight through drive now, that’s for sure. If you need me, I’ll be spending my Christmas soaking up all the baby snuggles in 70 degree weather.