It was an amazing moment.   One of those times you’re glad you went through, but hope you don’t have to go through again.  My daughter Meg had been gone for way too long, and now there were ten of us waiting outside a set of doors in the Philadelphia Airport, hoping they were the doors Meg and her roommate Christine would come through, after returning from their sixteen week semester in Florence, Italy (sixteen weeks is about forty weeks in Dad years).   Christine’s family and boyfriend were there, as well as the five of us and Meg’s boyfriend Bryan.  I chose to stand kind of close to Bryan, figuring that upon seeing him, Meg would make a straight line in his direction…. someone had to get that first hug.  It was a little after midnight, and we knew their plane had landed.  So each time people exited the doors we were watching, everyone strained to see if we could catch a glimpse of our girls.  Then it happened.  The doors opened and a group of people walked out.  As they cleared the exit, but just before the doors closed, for a split second, maybe thirty feet back, we could see them.  Christine in her black coat, and Meg in her tan coat, hair in a bun.  In the same instant, Christine saw her mom, and Meg saw her boyfriend.  Meg’s  jaw dropped when she made eye contact with Bryan…..I know my little girl, and her look was one of absolute joy.  I also knew I wouldn’t be getting the coveted first hug.  Christine and Meg looked at each other, eyes wide with happiness and mouths open for… well… screaming.  As the doors shut, the girls had just begun to lean forward……obviously, they were now running.  Within a couple seconds, they burst through the doors in a state of euphoria.  Christine running straight to her mom, and Meg running and jumping into Bryan’s arms.  Megaroo buried her head in Bryan’s shoulder and let it all out.  All the missing each other swept away in one big hug.   Pretty special.   My Meg.   Home safe.

And they’re off!

Bryan braces for impact:

Impact:

Enjoying the show:

Fortunately, the sign doesn’t apply to smooching:

My girls:

Little brother:

 

Big brother:

The girls and their moms: