Pioneer Woman in Columbus.

My friend Emily told me several weeks ago about Ree Drummond, coming to Columbus to sign books.  For those not in the know, Ree is the author of the Pioneer Woman blog and a cookbook and now a new book detailing her courtship & marriage to her husband.  She is tremendously successful.  If you still don’t know who she is, I am sure you will, the book about her love story is being made into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. 

Did I want to go?  Yes, yes, hell yes. 

Until I realized which Saturday it was.  I was lamenting the fact that Dave’s friend, whom we haven’t seen in ages, was going to be in town the same weekend and I didn’t want to miss his visit.  Two and a half hours each way and a midday book signing would mean being gone all day Saturday.  And so, I decided to stay home.

And then last Thursday night we were out to dinner with my friend Stephanie and Dave told me that his friend wasn’t able to make it.  Something came up last minute.  And Stephanie immediately asked me to go with her & Lisa to Columbus for the book signing.  I told her there was no way I could go last minute, excuse excuse excuse… pregnancy, being on my feet all day, possibly waiting hours and hours, blah blah blah. 

And that is how it was left until 10pm the night before…

 

I thought about it.  I asked Dave what he thought.  I was texting Stephanie.  I thought about how fun it would be. 

And then Dave told me to go.  He said that it was stupid for me not to because he could tell I wanted to.  He assured me that he had everything under control with Finn on Saturday.  He pointed out that we didn’t have any plans.  He and Stephanie both said I would be kicking myself in the ass if I didn’t.  I totally would have too.

I am PRETTY sure he was just trying to make up for that one time when he lost me hanging out with the Pioneer Woman all thanks to a warthog, but I digress.  Whatever the motivation behind his plan, it worked and I am so happy he talked me into making the trip.

We left early Saturday morning for Columbus and Nick, awesome sauce cousin that he is, went over first thing in the morning to score tickets for us.  I am pretty sure he thought {and still thinks} we’re all nuts because he didn’t know who Ree even was or why he had to get into line at 8:30 in the morning to wait for tickets to see her.  He *may* have been the only dude in line… and he came through with the coveted RED card so we’d be in the first group to get our books signed. 

Most fabulous guy on the planet?  I’m pretty sure he is.

 

Can I just tell you how ridiculously wonderful Ree is?  She had a smile for and talked to every single person she encountered.  It has to be completely exhausting and she makes it look effortless.  I have no idea how she does it.

We had such an amazing time.  Lunch at Cap City Diner, laughing at with Lisa, catching up with Lauren {I haven’t seen her since she was probably 10!}, shopping at Easton… oh how I love thee Anthropologie, Sur La Table, et al.  I am also really glad I don’t live closer because I am pretty sure my wallet couldn’t handle it. 

So many thanks to Stephanie for planning everything and coaxing me to go, you are amazing, as was the trip.