Take Your Belt Off!

I was supposed to have the perfect going-to-the-airport-to-pick-up-my-husband-after-not-seeing-him-for-8-months-outfit. At first, I forgot this detail. I thought about what cute outfit I'd put our daughter in and actually FORGOT to think about my own clothes. Oh no I've become one of those women already. My daughter ended up staying with my parents so hubby and I could have a day or two alone. Now the only one in need of the perfect outfit was me. I pictured a knee length black skirt, tights, and boots. Problem? No boots. No time to shop. No fashion sense. Winter weather. I figured a skirt and snow pants wouldn't be very sexy.

I worked with what I had, and ran out the door in a pink turtle neck sweater and black pants. He hasn't seen me in over 8 months, does it matter? Plus he probably hasn't seen much pink so I figured I had that going for me.

I arrived at the airport 30 minutes before the scheduled arrival, but only 15 minutes before the expected arrival that I had just discovered listed on the airline's website. Military families are allowed to meet their soldiers at the gate! I talked to a man guarding the security check point line. His accent was so heavy I couldn't understand him and didn't want to waste the precious minutes I had. He just kept repeating something over and over, while I stared at him blankly. I finally understood that I had to go wait in line at the airline to get a security pass.

I ran toward the other end of the airport and asked someone from the airline where to go. She directed me to first class. I waited behind a man who had possibly never flown or used a computer before in his life. He was getting A LOT of help from the employee. When it was finally my turn I stuttered about what I needed. What if this wasn't actually possible? She smiled and kindly granted my wish.

I went to the first class security check point. Unfortunately, I still had to wait and wait and wait. I had to take my shoes and jacket off and put them in a big gray bucket. Wasn't anyone else in a rush? This was possibly the slowest moving line EVER. It was now 1:26-the time his plane was expected to land. The security guard was making people take every last piece of metal off and put it on the conveyer belt. I took off my belt and watch (why in the world didn't my thoughts about an outfit consider airport convenience?) . I got through the line, retrieved my belongings, and put on one shoe and ran towards the gate with the other shoe partly on, carrying my belt. I stopped running twice to try and slip by left shoe all the way on. I finally succeeded steps from the gate. I saw a soldier in uniform. Probably not my husband...but I haven't seen him in so long I double checked to be sure. Nope. Was he on the flight with my husband? I was tempted to ask, but I sensed that fate was on my side today. Deep breathe.

I got to the gate at 1:37. Were they already out? Had the gate changed? I couldn't even tell if a plane was parked outside the gate. I impatiently waited in line to ask, while frantically searching the crowds of people to make sure I didn't miss my husband. Suddenly I saw the most beautiful sight. Time moved in slow motion. Soldiers in uniform coming towards me from an outside hallway. My husband was the first of 3 soldiers. I didn't have to double check to know. We embraced 6 steps from the door. He picked me up and carried me a few more feet out of the way so the other soldiers could get to their families. We hugged and kissed as I held my belt in one hand, ID and security pass in the other, jacket slung over my arm. I think his first words were, "You made it! I thought you'd be running late". Running? Yes. Late? Oh, I had a few seconds to spare.