Welcome Back Mademoiselle Ambassador

Let me preface this post by explaining that I am unfortunately not a parent. Last night or really very early Wednesday morning, Lil Wicked and the rest of her Ambassador delegation return from their whirl wind globe hopping mission.

The parents of these twelve young adults have formed a bond that may be more permanent than their offspring. I had the privilege of being present when they left as well as when they returned. I have to report a few observations of the parental units.

I would say half the units were old pros at being separated from their children. A better way to describe this is that half of them were not voicing their separation anxieties as much as the others. I was amused to hear the first question the parental units ask each other was “how many times did your kid call you?” Can I tell you that each time my BIL1 heard that the other kids contacted their families more than Lil Wicked did, his heart sank even more. The man was a wreck the ENTIRE time she was gone.

Of course their flight was delayed, it is mid July in the Nations Capital thunderstorms happen, planes get delayed. So the flight that was supposed to arrive at Dulles at midnight was only originally ninety minutes late. It gave the parents another way to bond. Although, some of these parents were keenly connected technologically and let me tell you the roller coaster ride of emotions as they each shared their knowledge with each other. Friends, sometime ignorance is pure bliss.

Here is a snippet of panicked/aggravated responses to flight updates:

Upon hearing that the flight left LA late due to a bomb threat in the airport, several parents lost all color and knees began to wobble. A couple of them may have had to put their heads between their knees. I will not name names.

When 1:30 am rolled around and the flight number no longer appeared on the arrivals board, every parent whipped out their cells phones; some furiously texting, some calling others masterfully navigating their blackberries/PDAs/ whatever the hell those gadgets are referred to this week.

It was determined that many flights were being diverted to B.W.I., the airport closest to where BS and BIL1 live. Panic ensues!!

2 am , it was determined and 10 minutes later announced, that the kids flight had indeed landed in B.W.I. due to weather and would be refueled and flown back to Dulles.

Texting became fast and furious, of course the kids were instructed not to use cell phones while on a plane. One resourceful mother was texting the chaperone like a mad woman.

2:30 am it was determined that the plane was receiving fuel and would be leaving shortly. The entire group of welcomers made their way to Starbucks for a fix of some kind.

3:00 am the flight is en route. Welcomers are exhausted and grumpy, been a very long day for all.

3:30 am let the reunions begin!!! Happy Days are here again!

All was instantly well once everyone was reunited. It was heart warming. My bet is that once the kid has been around for 24 hours, each parent will secretly count down the days for their next journey. We are talking about tweens and teenagers afterall.

I am very glad I was there, I can sleep anytime! It amazes me how much she matured in a mere 18 days.

Welcome Home Lil Wicked!!!