Until We Meet Again

Matthew left yesterday for a 12 to 18 month deployment. We had to be at HQ at 9:30, but he didn't get on the bus until 11:30. We stayed with him until a few minutes before he left. I wanted to get out of there before the rest of the crowd...and I didn't want to have a major melt-down in front of hundreds of strangers. I did pretty well until he put on his sunglasses. He was crying. Joshua didn't really understand, but he kept kissing Matt's face and patting his cheek. Yep, it got me! The young people did better than me! Although, last night I had three criers at bed time. Which, of course, got me going for a bit. I talked to him for a few minutes when he got to Cherry Point. He texted me as they were taking off. He was about an hour away until 6:36 last night, and we couldn't be with him. I understand why, but it still sucks. I am waiting for his call or something to let me know they made it to Kuwait. Here are a few pictures. Joshua did not want to be in any of them!