*Edited: This is a repost of half of another post, in which it was almost 3 in the morning and I was very tired and didn’t proof read what I wrote. I basically put a bunch of ands in it and called it a story. What? Like you have never done that? Puhleeze! *
Ok, so Lauren came home this evening. I was so happy to see her and before I could even get over to her to give her a hug, Dan and Brenna nearly knocked her over with hugs and kisses and sappy “I missed you soo much!” gushes. I think they may have gotten a little love all over her glasses.
She came home with a cut/scabby lip, broken glasses, messed up hair, and more freckles than an Irish girl in Florida! A nice farmers Freckle, yup..stopped right at her rash guard shirt sleeve! She was happy to see us all as well and we made signs for her to welcome her home….in spanish…that she couldn’t read, because Duh! Mom, I was only there a week already!
She wanted to tell us every story, but it was 101 degrees outside (don’t read this Mom) and we needed to get her some food! The girl was hun-gary! When Bobby got out of the car after picking her up from the airport for us, he said she mentioned something about being in the mood for Chinese food..hmmmm?? What was that Lauren? Did you say Chinese food?? We had that the day before you left, just me and you and it was good! I guess 7 days is 7 days too long to go without your beloved asian cuisine! So, ever the parents to please (yeah right) we zoomed off to Pei Wei and enjoyed a meal together with stories and laughter and full hearts of pride over the amazing mission trip our daughter had. Without us. To be her own person, mature and experiencing life.
Charles the leader of our group and our Music Minister, both youth and adult, stopped me before we left and wanted to brag on her. He said he was in awe of how well she did while they were there. He used words like amazing, mature, confident, and awesome. Well, maybe he did, I don’t really remember the whole conversation because I was swelling with pride for who she is. He said he was worried about her age and this being her first experience away from home. Only once did he have to tell her “this is the way it is and you’ll just have to change your attitude about it” and she said, “Ok.” That was that. Bottom line, he enjoyed very much having her there with the group.
I said, ” I knew all those years of being the Mom she “didn’t like” would pay off!” We both laughed and as I walked away, tears welled in my eyes because I have not a little girl anymore, but a woman I am proud to know.