Ed left today for his year long border deployment. We have been trying to get ready for this day since we learned back in July but how do you really get ready to say good bye to your best friend. We tried to keep our home as normal as possible since then but nothing is normal when your Dad isn't going to be around for a whole year of your life.
Ed was able to take off of work for four days, spend some extra time with me and the kids, see some friends, say Good-bye to his Grandmas and do some things around the house. We are grateful for the amount of people who have reached out with prayers and well wishes, and help with whatever we might need after he leaves.
Everything became real for us when Ed pulled out his big suitcase, the one we haven't seen sine he traveled with the CST in Des Moines and started to put things in. Of course, the kids took a turn hiding inside but when it is all in there is no extra room.
One very large suitcase, a heavy duffel bag and one carry on later we went to the airport this morning. Everyone was holding it together until he needed to start giving out hugs, kisses and good byes. Through tear we said a family prayer of thanks and protection and waved our favorite guy through the security. We hung out until he boarded the plane then had a good cry again.
When I started to cry Roman said "It's ok you can sleep with me tonight." It was the sweetest. He has already made it to his hotel and we know there will be plenty of phone calls, pictures and video chats in our future. And we know "it will be ok."
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