Saying Goodbye

The day finally came.  It was time to take Zach to the airport and say good-bye.  I couldn't even think the word "good-bye" without getting teary-eyed.  Boy was I going to be a mess.  And I had absolutely no idea how the girls would do. 

Before he left, Zach gave the girls a set of his dog tags that they could wear whenever they were missing him.

We eventually made it to the airport and were given gate passes so that we could watch him get on the plane.

We found his gate and then went on a little farther to an empty area. I had no idea how we were going to pass the time.  I didn't know if we were just going to sit and be sad together or what we were going to do.  But Zach and the girls just played.

They did exercises.

Pony rides.

And even a little dancing.

And there were some very sweet moments.

 

Finally, it was getting to be time.  Zach pulled the girls aside one by one and gave them a special good-bye.

Then one last hug.

And he was gone.

I pretty much cried off and on (mostly on).  A few people came up to us and thanked us for Zach's service.  It was a really tough morning.  Thank you to everyone who checked on us and sent thoughts and prayers our way.  Keep them coming, because you can never have too many positive thoughts.