Lots has happened since our last post, so I'm going to break it up into a couple of different posts to catch everyone up. First, back in July, we found out that Stefan will be flying C-130s and we are going to be based in Little Rock, AR. At first we were kind of bummed, but we are firm believers that everything happens for a reason (more on that later). It's exciting to know where we're going and what he'll be flying!
After we found this out, we began planning for the move- posting my resume, looking for jobs, and looking at houses online. Amidst all of planning for the move (which at the time we had no dates, so we didn't know when we'd be moving), I was wrapping up everything with my job in Chicago. I was in Chicago for my last week of work when one of the Business Development Directors that I had trained (his name is John) told me I should stop by his office. I said I would but that the next day was going to be my last with the company. He immediately offered up any connections that he may have to Little Rock if I needed it. We got on a couple of calls to the only people he knew in Arkansas, but no hits for Little Rock. I went back to my office and got a call from Stefan saying that he found out the date that we had to be in Little Rock, which is Sept. 2. Because that was only a couple of weeks out at the time, I went back to John's office and told him that this was all happening much quicker than anticipated. He then asked if I had any interest in working for Robert Half International, the company he worked for before he
came to Echo. I said I did and the ball just rolled from there- long story short, he asked a former co-worker to connect with the Little Rock office and supply my resume, the next day the Regional Vice President called me and asked if I could interview on that Monday (which was only 3 days away).
Getting to Little Rock on that Monday was quite the task. I was in Milwaukee for the weekend for my sister-in-law's surprise birthday party and my cousin's bridal shower. My original flight was scheduled for Monday morning for me to fly back to San Antonio. To rearrange the flight in advance, American Airlines would have charged me $1,100!!!! I decided to chance it and go to the airport on Sunday night and see if I could fly stand-by to San Antonio, Dallas, or Little Rock instead of paying the money. I was able to get ticketed for standby to Dallas, but a space never became available. Instead, I got a standby ticket from O'Hare to Little Rock and my dad had to speed me down to Chicago so that I could make it. (Thanks again, dad). Space allowed and I was able to get on the flight to Little Rock. I called Stefan right before take off and told him that I got on the flight, but I had no idea what I was going to do once I got there.
Once I landed, I called Stefan and he had booked me a hotel, a rental car, and a bus ticket back to San Antonio. I was so impressed! I have to admit, I think I even said- "I've never loved you more than I do right now!" It really showed me how well he could take care of me. Anyways, I got to my hotel and woke up the next morning for my interview. I showered, had breakfast, and headed to the office. The interview went great! I called my mom after to tell her about it and she asked if they offered the position, but I told her I probably wouldn't hear back for a week. I was totally wrong, they called me back about an hour later and offered me the job! I was so happy! I accepted, of course, and then met with the realtor to look at houses. I saw 36 houses and a day and a half and only 2 that we would have purchased. It was a successful whirlwind trip to Little Rock. The vegetation is gorgeously green right now, and it really made me excited to move there!
The 14 hour bus ride back to San Antonio was something I would never do again, but it all paid off and I was so glad to be back and see Stefan and get ready to celebrate his birthday!
