Goodbyes are Never Easy

Well, the day the we had been dreading came last week. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love with all your heart! I will say that I am glad that we can finally start counting down the days until we are in each others arms and together as a happy little family! We spent every possible minute with Zachary while we were in San Diego. We had to drop him off at the pier Thursday evening to help with the onload so we just hung out at the pier and every once in awhile he would come up on the flight deck and wave at us. It was nice to catch even a small glimpse of him. After he was finished working we were able to spend a few last hours together. We ended up saying our last goodbyes shortly before midnight. At that moment I just wanted to hold on forever! We gave each other one last long hug and then he slipped out of my arms and walked back to the ship to what will be his home for the next 7 months.
I am so thankful that our some of our family was able to be there with us. It was so nice to have their support and their continued prayers will be a blessing. We also were able to share this moment with the sweetest family, the Morrisons! Their husband and daddy will be on the same ship as Zachary! So thankful that I have someone to go through this with, shed tears and laugh with. Their 2 little boys, Ethan and Sean are best buddies with Emily. Emily just adores them and they are quite the threesome when they are together. Rhonda, we will get through this. Thank you for being such a sweet friend!
The morning that the ship pulled out of port we were able to go to the pier and wave to Zachary as he was on the flight deck. As the ship started to pull out we headed over to the beach so we could watch it head to sea. Catching our last few glimpses of the USS Stennis!
Let the Countdown Begin!!