Good-bye

It has been several days since this has happened, but we thought we should still blog about it. We said our last goodbyes to many family and friends over the phone and in person for the last week. We wanted to thank everyone who so graciously came to our goodbye party last Friday to send us off with warm words of encouragement and support. We also wanted to thank the many of you who took us into your home over the past weeks. Kim and Taylor, Sky and Kristin, and Jeff and Amy, we can’t thank you enough for all you have done for us.

Then came the family goodbyes…we said bye to Tyler (Leanne’s brother) and his little girl Charlie last Sunday. This was a difficult one since we will not be able to see them for several years, but thankfully with the gift of technology we will be able to video chat and see Charlie grow over the next few years. Oddly enough, the best advice I have gotten so far is from a three year old, while saying good-bye to her. As Charlie said, “Don’t cry Aunt Leanne, you still have Uncle Chris with you.” And how true is that, we left the US with each other side by side and there is nothing more comforting than that.

Then came the airport good-byes…on Monday morning Dennis and Manetta (Chris’ parents) and Ginger (Leanne’s Mom) took us to the airport to see us off. Due to a one-hour long check-in at United (most likely because we are on a one-way ticket to a third world country) our time was short to say good-bye (which probably ended up being better). It was short but sweet as we said bye to crying moms and dads who support us greatly in this journey. We waved good-bye, blew kisses and disappeared into yet another long security line and began the journey. Thanks for a great send off and we look forward to seeing you in about 6 months!