Trip of a lifetime- July 5, 2010

My sister and brother-in-law just got on an airplane to fly to the other side of the world for a whole month. Julie and Kevin have the most amazing trip planned. Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, England. There’s like two more countries in there I totally missed. But, you get the point. This is really the ideal time in their lives to do this. They busted their asses over the last year taking the GMAT and applying to MBA programs. They got into several with scholarship money and will head to American University in the fall. I’m so proud of them I want to burst when I talk about their accomplishments. Both of them. My whole life I’ve been in awe of my little sister, all her spirited strong will and drive to succeed. Now, I look at Kevin as a brother. I’m so proud of him too and their decision and sacrifice to go back to school together even when we all questioned them.

I was really tired and irritable after working the early shift today but later in afternoon I was determined to see them off. I wasn’t sure why but I just really wanted to tell them goodbye. I was afraid we’d missed them when we pulled up to Terminal 2 at RDU International today. My Mom and Step-Dad had just dropped them off. They had already turned off their phones. I had a message Julie left on my phone from Mom’s phone. Crap! I’d missed them! Greyson pulled up the car in front of the Terminal, as we got the eye from families with two dozen Samsonites to unload. We weren’t supposed to park so he sat in the car and I ran in. Surely they’d still be checking in and no where near security.

I walked right in saw them at the check-in counter. Blue eyes shining, she hugged me. I made it. I looked their two backpacks, their only luggage for a month and smiled. I wondered how on earth they would make it without a laptop for a month. Lord knows I’d drink my weight in black-tar-like-coffee at cafes across Europe simply to get my Internet fix. They were all checked in and came out to tell Greyson good-bye too.

After some hugs I got back in the car and started crying. Julie’s been off on a million trips before. Spring breaks in some Florida city, when she gets wasted and calls me from the bar at 3:00am just because the “Amy” song came on. I have never once worried about her previously. But, it’s different now. All of the sudden everything is more precious. Everything is worth more than it was just five months ago. I said my prayers for them and dried my eyes.

Julie and Kevin, have fun on your big adventure. Take it all in before your new life starts. We’ll be here at home. I’ll greet you a little rounder in the middle. Don’t even bother to call. You know the best way to reach me is online.

Julie and Kevin

4 Responses to “Trip of a lifetime- July 5, 2010”

Tahlia Paschal says:

July 6, 2010 at 5:05 pm

tear

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Colleen says:

July 6, 2010 at 5:51 pm

Amy, it made me teary to read this…it's a wonderful testament to your love for your sister and my son. His sister has that worry feeling too…she said she had to remind herself he's a grown man. With you two sisters…and God's watchful eye…they'll be fine.

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Kevin says:

July 7, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Thanks Amy. Julie and I have been very fortunate with the opportunities we have had over the past several months. So far – Europe is AWESOME! We're in Budapest and loving it. Although we are on an adventure – nothing is like the one you're entering. Motherhood – Julie and I talk about it all the time and how proud of you and Greyson we are. We are excited to be someone's Aunt and Uncle and can't wait to meet her. That's the adventure I look forward to.

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Julie says:

July 8, 2010 at 1:35 pm

Thanks Amy. I was crying as I read this. You are the best. Don't worry a bit, we have been really safe and everyone is so helpful. I miss you and can't wait to see your bigger bump when we go to the beach.

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