some random thoughts ...

Twenty-one years ago right now I wasn't even in labor yet - that would begin in about another hour (around 8:30am). I remember being so relieved when my water broke - relieved that FINALLY the time had come to see this beautiful new little person Bob and I had created. That sounds good doesn't it? While it's true, in reality I was simply miserable! LOL Of course it was Friday the 13th - my due date was the 18th. What can I say? Friday the 13th's are fabulous days for me! I can remember calling Bob telling him to come back home, jumping in the shower (had to shave my legs dontchaknow?), picking up Heidi from school and driving to Mom's (my doctor was in Portsmouth) and waiting until I was ready to go to the hospital. I'm sure there are parts of that day that are a complete blur, but there are parts that still remain vivid in this boggled up, hormone deprived memory of mine. Bottom line, our little bundle of joy was born at 4:00pm on the dot.
I can remember moments thinking, "I wonder what she'll look like and be like as an adult." Incredibly, now I know. It's so difficult to wrap my head around the fact that it's been twenty-one years now. If I haven't learned anything else in these last fifty years, I've learned that the days, weeks, months and years go by so quickly it'll make your head spin. It doesn't seem like it in the moment, but damn! How did I get to be this old? With one daughter 28 (and a 16 month old grand baby) and the other one now 21? Cari's in her third year at JMU. I swear it seems only months ago I was going through the motions trying to enjoy all the "lasts" of her senior year of high school. It just doesn't seem possible it's been nearly two and a half years ago we attended Orientation and weeks after that dropping her off to live in a dorm for the first time. Talk about an adjustment! I'm happy to say I did manage to adjust to my quiet, empty nest. Oh I still miss her and we talk most days, but I've learned to enjoy my "me" time.

And we're off in a few hours to surprise her at dinner tonight. I'm so excited!! Cari and I are pretty close in our thought processes so it's not easy to surprise each other. So far, I think I've managed to keep this under my hat. She thinks we're coming Saturday for her birthday. Yeah, like I'd really not be there for her twenty-first birthday. I can't wait to see her face. :)

Fast forward to nearly 11pm. I think we managed to surprise her. We were waiting at the restaurant when she, Matt and Jocelyn walked in. I was so excited I couldn't stand it. Cari has always been just a wee bit more reserved in showing her excitement - except when it comes to Kenny, no holding back there. We had a wonderful dinner at Kyoto - a Japanese style restaurant, a quick stop at the mall, then off to Outback for dessert and some fruity drinks. Cari's first legal drink in public was a Mai Tai. All too soon it was time for us to part. It was a short visit but I'll take it. Nothing could've kept me from being here to celebrate her 21st birthday. Back to the grindstone tomorrow ...