We had to get up around 3am this morning in order to leave the house by 4am. Nichelle's flight wasn't until 6am, but the airport is about an hour away and we had to be there an hour early. Needless to say, it's been a long day and it's not even noon yet. I barely got 3 hours of sleep, but I still think I got more than Nichelle and Rick did combined. They both tossed & turned all night. We waited for her plane to take off before we left the airport. She flew into Salt Lake City, UT and then changed planes for Seattle, WA. She should just about now be boarding her plane in Seattle that will take her to Maui. She's going to be exhausted when she gets there. It's hard to believe my baby is now 19 years old and on her way to Hawaii all by herself. She's gone from a sweet, curly headed little girl like this ...
To a beautiful, young woman like this ...
I did okay at the airport when we hugged and said goodbye. I got a little choked up afterwards when we stopped for gas and I looked through my pictures on my camera. Then after we got home, I told Neil we could send letters and stuff to Nichelle while she was gone. He ran downstairs and was back up again moments later with this ...
Yep, that did it for me -- I miss her already -- SNIFF!
OMG, that's such a cute, loving note. HuUgs for both of you!
ReplyDeleteI'm teary-eyed right there with you Rena. Neil's card is so sweet. I don't even know Nichelle but miss her from your writings. I know it's hard but you and Rick should be proud of raising a daughter who is so independent and willing to give of herself like this.
ReplyDeleteTeresanne
I am so crying right now, I don't know how you're not. How is Rick handling it? I think Darren would not be doing well if it was Haylee.
ReplyDeleteHUGS to you all.
Nancy
Awwww...she'll be back!! Hey...I can be your daughter whilst she is away! hahahahaha =D
ReplyDeleteLove you! *hugs*
That's so sweet. MAde me a little sad.
ReplyDeleteIt is SOOOO hard to let them go. A big bear momma hug going out to you
ReplyDeleteOh, Rena, that must have been so terribly difficult! Hugs and more hugs to you!! What a wonderful place to send her off to though - Hawaii! She'll have so much to tell you about her time there!
ReplyDeleteAww. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteGale
I do not look forward to my children moving on. I'm sad when we're apart for a few days! Sending big hugs your way and both you and Nichelle will be in my thoughts and prayers :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't even imagine letting my kids go like that yet. I'm sure she'll be fine and you'll be a wreck. Isn't that the way it is as a mom? Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, Rena. What a hard day. Sometimes being a mother is so hard, but you must be so proud of her.
ReplyDeleteOff she goes, into the wild blue yonder. She is an explorer. You have girder her as best you can with all the tools she will need in life. Now you must do the hardest thing, trust that she knows how to use them.
ReplyDeleteI am sending prayers her way.
Your family is truly lovely and I thank you for sharing them with us on your blog - it makes me feel like a part of it. That airport trip must have been... well, hell! It is crazy how time flies and our kids grow up so fast.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs.