Learning to Fly

Sending my kid off on a big adventure

Cars were everywhere, parked every which way, in cattywampus lines three deep. Trunks were flying open, luggage was being frantically pulled out to the pavement, and loved ones were hugging goodbye, with everyone frantically trying to get their people off on their adventures.

This was the scene at the departure dropoff at Dulles National Airport yesterday.

The panic and chaos were tangible. I tried to outwardly remain calm, but inside I was just as freaked out as my daughter. She was driving, so I told her to just park and throw her hazards on, and we would hope for the best! We took a moment for a selfie before she embarked on her journey.

I had carefully practiced my goodbye speech to her: part love, part calming her anxiety, and part pride, but all of that went out the window in the urgency of events. She got her bags, we hugged, said our I love yous, and she was off. 

I saw a meme yesterday that talked about how parenthood is simply teaching your kids how to ride a bike over and over again. It’s just one big act of letting our hand off the back to their seat as they ride away on their own. This is a great analogy. 

At 21, my daughter is technically an adult now, but she’s still my baby. And yesterday marked her first international trip without a grown-up. And even though I knew she could handle all that this entails, I still worried!

She was a bit anxious, but I tried to reassure her of each step once she got to the airport, and I reminded her that there would be people who worked there who could help. The goal was simply to check her bag, get through security with her carry-ons, and relax at the gate.

Once I dropped her off, I made my way back to Richmond via the parking lot that is I-95. Luckily, my phone readily pairs with Apple Play in her car, and I had plenty of forgotten tunes to keep me company. Traffic was heavy, but for the most part, other drivers were well-behaved. 

I was overwhelmingly tired when I got home. I guess part of that was relief that I got her there safely. 

At least our dog, who was clearly stressed out that morning over the abundance of luggage and what that might mean for her, was ecstatic upon my return, eagerly greeting me at the door and grinning ear to ear for the rest of the evening. 

We got a text when she was boarding and a phone call at 1:45 AM our time letting us know she arrived safely. 

I thought that getting that call would allow me to finally fall into a peaceful slumber rather than tossing and turning with worry, but instead, I started writing this post in my head. 

She is in Copenhagen for a three-week study abroad program. I’m so excited that she has this opportunity through her school, and I’m eager to hear about all of her experiences!

This is not her first trip abroad. She traveled to Costa Rica with her Spanish club in high school. That trip didn’t make me nervous because we dropped her off in the care of her teachers. This time, though, she would have to navigate the airport on her own. 

Dropping her off yesterday was almost worse than when I left her on her first day of preschool. I felt myself welling up with tears as I walked back to the car, but then I didn’t have time to get upset! I had to move that car out of that maze of confusion, with so many drivers honking and frustrated. I just had to take a deep breath, find my calm in that storm, and get out of that mess. 

I will venture out on my own international trip next week with my younger daughter. We fly out of Richmond, which is far less busy than Dulles, thankfully! We are looking forward to going on our own adventure together to London on a well-organized school trip!

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Lead photo is by Pexels for WordPress.

Are you watching your babies grow up into adults right before your eyes? It’s bittersweet, for sure. I’d love to hear about your experiences!

As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.

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