Hello everyone....Rachael left for France today. She left Louisville at 3:30 for Philadephis, and she left Philadephia on her international flight at 8:30. It was really hard for me. I know she will have the experience of a lifetime, and she will be fine. But I feel the need to protect her, and I won't be there to do that. She was so excited!
I will have pictures shortly.
Sorry so short. It's been a long day.
J.
UPDATE: Pictures from today at the airport:
14 comments:
Oh, J.... it's only the first of many letting go's. Rachel will be fine - and so will you.
Avoir un voyage amusant Rachael!
You're a great mom for encouraging her to take this trip. It will be a great experience for her.
The mother bird pushes the baby bird out of the nest. I have no idea what that has to do with Rachael going to France. I know you are happy and proud. Now she shouldn't drink the water over there, but they have lots of wine .. so I know she'll be alright. ;-)
Awww she's gone!! This is an experience of a lifetime! Good for you for allowing her to do this! Hang in there. She'll do fine! :)
You guys would have been proud of J today.
She took the day off just for R; so they could be together. J was also the only parent to go to the boarding gate, besides chaperones.
J did what we, as parents of teens, know what we must do. Be there, but be, so not there.
It's these times that test the mother / child boundaries. It went well for both.
R is not my child, but I'm still happy / proud for her + her mother.
The only thing harder than watching your kid go to a foreign land, is watching your kid go to a combat situation like Iraq.
Been there + cried like a baby.
J,
I hope you have more pics to share with me later today?
If not, that's ok. I've got some pics of airplanes, trucks, airplanes + me leaning out the window flipping off those pilots.
I mean, how dare they infringe upon my tarmac?
Don't they realize I'm bigger than they are?
Well, I was bigger until the AA jet pulled up along side me and proclaimed in a very loud voice that I was just chicken feed.
My ears are still ringing from my lack of horse power. and the sensation of a super powerful air-turbulence situation.
Dang it.
Ok. It was an awesome air turbulence, wind velocity, mind changing concept of a blow job.
Oh, and in case anyone was concerned, all three of my hairs stayed in place.
Thank You, dippety doo.
Oh yeah. I rule! I finally got 3 hairs that J didn't find.
U bought the T after all!
That one girl looks rabid!
Luv it!
Enthusiasum.
She'll have a great time, and she'll be back in no time.
Hang in there.
I've been to Paris - it's a real nice place (not quite as romantic as they say - or maybe I didn't feel it because I wasn't with a woman). She'll definitely have a memorable time though.
It's times like these that I hit the bottle. Hard.
She'll be ok, Mom. ;)
Is she doing the "study abroad" thing? That would be really cool! I'm sure she will have the time of here life.
awwwwwwww great pics...I am sure she will have a great time. Look forward to hearing all about her adventures when she gets home.
Sayre - I think it was harder on me at the airport than it was on her. She was so excited.
Jay - You speak French? I'm impressed. Thanks for the compliment.
E.Craig - I gave her permission to try the wine if it is offered. All she has ever had is communion wine. She called me yesterday and said her first two French meals were delicious, but that she had had water.
Tookie - I know it is the experience of a lifetime. She's just so far away! I can't wait to hear all about her trip when she gets back.
Steven - Thank you for the compliment. It was good for me to be there. I think Rachael liked it. You are so funny with your description of delivering on an airfield. And yes, I got my "Everyone's after me lucky charms" t-shirt.
R.W.A. - I know she will. It was just a little hard on me.
R.E.H. - Hey, I just thought of something. You're pretty close to France. Just run over to Paris for me and check on her, will ya?
Corky - I definitely needed a drink. But she landed fine, and the mother in her host family speaks fluent English, so I know she will be okay.
Sushiboy - She is doing a 10-day student exchange. We had a 13 yr.old French girl, Lea, staying with us for 10 days back in October. Rachael is now staying with Lea and her family in La Guarrenne, a town just outside of Paris. It is an amazing opportunity - her only costs were the price of the passport, the price of the plane ticket, and spending money. All travel, food, accommodations, and admission to sight-seeing events (like the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower) are included. It was so worth the effort.
C.Flake - Isn't my girl pretty? I'm sure she will have tons to tell.
J.
you're going to miss here like crazy I'm sure!
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