First Drew Sighting!

Donnie, Sam, Trinity and I got up bright and early this morning, even though we didn't get to the hotel until 1:30am. We were excited to get to go see Drew.

The first part of our agenda was to go to a briefing. It was slightly amusing, they tried to make it funny. But mostly is was just too much information that I just can't even remember.

Then we got to go stand along the side of a road so we could wait and wait and wait until the recruits ran by, twice. They weren't allowed to even let their eyes wander the crowds, so they didn't get to see us, but we were able to search out the people with the color shirt our kids were wearing for a possible sighting of our kid. Not easy. Not even for a mother. Most of us did not recognize our child and he/she RAN by us. Donnie did see Drew the second time by.

I cried and cried through the morning. Just overwhelmed with emotions. (and maybe some sleep deprivation from the drive, or maybe trauma from the hours and hours of cleaning up puke?)
I am just so proud of Drew! He is no longer a child. He is a grown up who can, and is, supporting himself. He is serving our country. And yet, he is my baby. The little boy who colored himself blue to become a Smurf. My little boy who wanted to save the rain forest so the women in his life would never go without chocolate. The boy who wanted to grow up and marry me and take care of me. My teenager who gave me years of grief with back talk and dating and sneaking behind my back, but then would kiss the top of my head and tell me he loves me. That little boy is still there, but now in a man's body.

I am overwhelmed.

And soon, just 3 short hours from now, I will be able to hug him.

But I will not wear make-up this afternoon. Especially black stuff.