"See you soon"

This morning the kids and I said "see you soon" to Quentin again. We have become accustom to our see you soons being at the base cafe or the pier. Those always felt so cold and without emotion, even though the sadness and love was so thick in the air. I would have given anything to have done out see you soons outside that dumpy cafe today. Standing on the sidewalk at the airport departure door was worse than the cafe. I couldn't help but feel resentment in that moment as I watched couples hug and get teary-eyed, only to hear one say "I'll see you in a week."

The one thing I hated most about the cafe see you soons is how close it is to our house. I could watch from our kitchen window as the buses pulled away. For days after, I would glance out the window in hopes of see the buses come back, just in case they had made some mistake and it wasn't really time for them to go back out the sea. Although that never happened (even if there had been a mistake, I am pretty sure the Navy would never admit it and would keep the guys just so they don't have to admit they messed up), it was always a little comforting to go grab a sexy coffee after saying see you soon and seeing familiar faces, normally with mascara on their cheeks too and knowing you were part of a big family. And even when you were the only one ordering coffee while trying your damnedest not to cry, you were not the first one to do it and would promptly be given a reassuring smile or a hug. There is none of that at airport see you soons.

Another shitty thing about airport see you soons is how far away it is from Target. I am sure there are several Targets between the airport and our home, but they aren't my Target. Retail therapy always helps those first few days. I always pick up a little something to make the house feel more homey. I know that a few new baskets won't fill void, but it helps a bit and who doesn't like new baskets?

So far the kids are doing remarkably well. I am sure in a few months when we are used to getting prepared for homecomings, only to not yet be half way done it will hit us all like a ton of bricks. But for today, we are going to curl up on the couch, watch movies and be ok.