Lynda Loveland: Home sweet home!

Whew! A record 12 days away from home. That’s 12 days away from my husband and kids. A first for me.

It didn’t really dawn on me until the night before I left. I had been so consumed with planning the trip that I didn’t give my time away too much thought. You see this was a trip my mother, sister and I had been planning for years. My mother’s parents were from Germany and we’d always talked about going there. My mom still speaks German and we wanted to see where her family came from. After years of saying, “we’ll go next year,” we finally decided to go this year.

While I was packing the night before we left, it finally sunk in I wouldn’t see my family for nearly two weeks. I had a total meltdown. Cried like a baby. How in the world can I be away that long? I cried on my mom’s shoulder and my husband’s. He said HE should be the one crying! He had to be a single parent for 12 days! He had a point. Didn’t help much though.

We stayed pretty busy, which was good. We had a fabulous time and made a lot of great memories. My two older kids were fine on the phone. But my three-year-old always asked if I was coming home that night and told me she wanted to give me a hug and a kiss. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. It just killed me to hear it. While I was thoroughly enjoying the time with my mom and sister, I couldn’t wait to get back home.

Of course on the way back, our plane was delayed. The minutes seemed to drag on. Then we got caught in evening rush hour traffic. When we finally pulled up to the house, everyone came running out with roses in their hands. I swear the kids looked older! I couldn’t hug them tightly enough! Didn’t want to let go! I thought my heart would pop. My husband and oldest daughter even planned a special dinner.

There’s no place like home. I’m a very blessed mama.