See you in Two

Jonah's flight left at 10 AM Monday morning.  We left our house a little before 7 AM to make sure we had plenty of time. 

It was surreal knowing we would be sending him off for two years. I just can't wrap my mind around that.

We were dreading the goodbye.

I know Jonah was nervous, but he never shows it. 

I asked someone to take our picture while we were waiting to check his bags. 

The line was very short so it didn't take long.

After that we walked with Jonah to security.

We had plenty of time for pictures, which my kids were thrilled about.

I'm so proud of Jonah.  He is going to be a fantastic missionary.

And also, I didn't want to let him go.

We are all going to miss him so much. 

Keith wasn't ready to let him go either.

Jonah may be having some real concerns about if we were going to let him go at this point, ha!

Caitlyn wanted pictures.

So did Hallee.

The boys not so much.

But they did it for me anyway.

I went back for round two.

It's so hard to let him go!

We got a couple of family pictures.

Then Jonah was ready to go.  He could see some of the other missionaries go through security and I think he was ready for the goodbyes to be over. 

I cried while I watched all the kids hug goodbye.

It was tearful goodbyes for all of us.

Especially for Wyatt.  Poor Wyatt just laid in Jonah's bed and cried most of the day.

Then it was time for Keith to say goodbye.

It was emotional for both of them.  They are going to miss each other so much.

Then it was my turn. I was a hot mess by this point and had already given him multiple hugs, but knew it was time to give him one last hug.

I thought my heart might break right there.  How can you be so happy for him and proud of him and so sad at the same time?

Seeing him walk away crying was so hard.

He turned around for a minute.

He put a smile on his face and gave us one last wave.

We watched him turn the corner and then we left.  I am so proud of him.  This is such a hard thing he is doing, but he is doing it anyway.  

While we were pulling away from the airport I got this message about Jonah's Air Tag.  It was like rubbing salt in the wound, the van already felt so empty without him.  I tracked his flights all day and checked the credit card to see that he got food in New York.  He flew from  Salt Lake to New York and then from New York to Manchester.  It was over a fifteen hour travel day for him. It was an emotional weekend for all of us and we were all exhausted!