The build up often outlasts the thrill themselves, but boy, are they worth it sometimes.
Our annual Labour Day weekend camping plans were thwarted by bad weather and we kept it local and chill instead.
We took T to Canada's Wonderland on Saturday, a beautiful day, our first visit in two years.
Going in, we told T that he wasn't tall enough to go on the big rides - two inches short! - but we were thrilled to learn that now at 52 inches, T could go on all but two of the rides.
This included Yukon Striker, the newest roller coaster and T's first big intense coaster.
Whoa! Adrenaline rush and excitement for all of us, probably me the most! 🤣
Check out this beauty: 1,103 meters long, a three second hold at the top as you stare down the 75 meter drop and a top speed of 130 km/h.
As we approached the lineup, my excitement turned into nervousness.
It's been years since I've been a big coaster, and my first time on this ride.
Seeing riders dangle at the precipice didn't help. 🤣
The three of us sat at the third and most rear row. There was no way I was sitting at the front.
As we ascended up the long tall ramp, I gripped super tightly onto the bars.
I usually turn to see T's face, because I love seeing the world through his eyes. Nope, the back of my head was planted firmly to the seat cushion.
When we reached the top, the coaster inched over the cliff and dangled us for what felt like an eternity.
Then it released us.
I had to close my eyes.
I heard T screaming, "What the fuck!!!"
Our bodies were thrown to the left, to the right, upside down then 3 minutes and 25 seconds after we started, it was over.
As we waited to disembark, I turned to T. His eyes were closed. He claimed to have passed out but he was being funny and dramatic.
But the ride did leave him speechless.
He spent the next few minutes outside the ride watching others experience the thrill.
The rest of the day was very relaxing.
T found comfort in going on the rides for smaller kids too. As I watched him spin around the baskets, I thought about how finite these summer moments are with this little kid.
This was also the first visit to Wonderland when he chose to go on the rides with me, as he usually liked to sit with his daddy instead.
I'd be lying if I said that it didn't make me feel especially loved.
Wonderland would not be complete without funnel cake topped with strawberry syrup and ice cream at the end of the day.
T spent the following day watching POV (point of view) videos on YouTube of Yukon Striker.
As I watched him through my sleepy eyes, I thought about the roller coaster of our lives.
We spend so much time building up for shorter moments of thrills - be it work and the weekend, school and summer break, or planning and anticipating a vacation.
It reminded me as I get older, I am prioritizing life itself.
Because as quickly as this ride begins, and as suddenly as the thrills are upon us, it is over in a flash.
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