♪ Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign ♪

created by Angela Kropp

Our day had arrived.  With very little sleep or calmness since the news of Teddy's arrival home set in, we began our day yesterday with much excitement and anticipation of the hours yet to come.  The moments we had only imagined for the past 5 months.  They were going to happen now.  Today.  The kids went off to school, and I made my best efforts to gather myself, our house, and our life over the past months - I did not know where to begin.  Laundry still needed to be done.  The house still needed to be straightened.  Welcome home signs still needed to be created.  The lawn still needed to be cut.  I never made my haircut appointment.  The jeeps needed to be cleaned out.  For a short while, I started to panic and stress that everything would not be just right for Teddy's arrival home.  The phone rang - it was 8:00 am, and I had already begun my panic several hours earlier.  Teddy was calling - just hearing his voice, and the excitement of him telling me, "I will see you later today", immediately put things into perspective.  I was going to see my husband TODAY.  I formulated a plan as we were speaking.  It was almost as if his energy was traveling through the phone and fueling the pen as it wrote down my list - my plan of attack.  I hung up feeling focused, driven and filled with strength to implement my plan.  My plan was simple.  Be ready to welcome home my husband.  Be ready to receive a man who has been away from his wife, two children, family, friends, and regular life for five months.  All of a sudden, some of the things I was stressing over became insignificant.  My whole day's atmosphere changed from stress and lack of time to a wonderful, excitement filled day of preparation and anticipation of Teddy's arrival.  I immediately began tracking his flight, which allowed me to be informed of exactly where he was and exactly how much time I had left to complete the "stuff" that needed to get done.  The laundry got done, as did the straightening of the house.  More trail angels enter the picture as my mom came by to help straighten up and share her artistic ability, and my dear, supportive friend, Angela Kropp, the creator of Teddy's amazing PCT hiker tee shirt came over with a nice lunch and created beautiful welcome signs for us to hold at the airport.

Angela, my mom and I painted this sign

Things all came together for me, with outcomes exceeding me expectations.  The only thing that mattered now, is that I was ready to welcome my husband home.  Finally.  I left at 1:45 pm, collected the kids and set off for the airport.  Yes, I got there WAY EARLY... an hour and a half earlier than his estimated landing time.  It's ok - I had plenty of time to hyperventilate over the thoughts of finally seeing Teddy after all this time.  Plenty of time to imagine our reunion.  Plenty of time to have my heart race at the thought of hugging him.  Plenty of time to have tears of joy falling at the thought of him reuniting with his strong, patient children.  It was an emotional hour and a half - one where I could not get a full breathe in at all.

created by Ken Beck

Many of our friends and family gathered at the airport to show their support for Ted's arrival.  Some of my strongest support over the past few months came from the family and friends standing beside me at the airport.  My brother Kenn created the sign at right, originally to hang off the overpass of the Sunrise Hwy, but the wind decided otherwise, so he brought it to the airport for Teddy to enjoy.  Jagger, Dakota, her boyfriend David, our cousin Cathy, my brothers Thomas and Kenn, my mom Ruth, Pattie and Derrick Grieco, Valerie and Christi Raia, Mike and Angela Arasa, Colleen and Mr. Conn, and Darien Maginn, our wonderful photographer all gathered, waiting anxiously, as we heard the announcement of Ted's plane landing.
  

created by Angela Kropp

Each minute that passed on the arrival board felt like an hour, but as people walked down out of the gate, I approached an older man, and asked pretty abruptly, "Were you on the flight from Chicago?" After answering "Yes", and giving me a strange look, my heart began to beat right out of my chest, knowing that any second my husband, my hero, would be walking out of the arrival gate.  And there he was.  Scruffy, thin, hungry, but happy, proud, and loved.  The photographs that Darien took captured those precious moments for me, and I will share as soon as she passes them on to me.
Until then, I want everyone to know that the amount of happiness, relief, pride, courage, support and love that surrounded us all was like nothing I have ever felt in my whole entire life.

created by Ruth Beck

We have Teddy back home.  You have your son, uncle, nephew, friend.  My children have their dad.  I have my husband.  We have Scarecrow back home, safe, healthy and happy.  The upcoming entry of our blog will give you a view into what Teddy has endured through the past 5 months.  A pictorial journal of the struggles he endured, the triumphs he achieved, and the life he has lived away from all he knows.  A beautiful ending to this chapter of a wonderful story that I was honored to tell.


~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~

Departure Day...

The day arrived.  A day of anticipation.  Of happiness.  Of uncertainty.  Of excitement.  Of controlled chaos.  Of sadness.  Of saying goodbye to family and friends and hello to a long awaited adventure.  Ted has now packed and repacked his bag many times, making sure of every last item needed, and adjusting to lessen the 35+ pounds he will now need to carry for this hike.

arriving at the airport

Ted and the kids arrived to pick me up from work around 11:30, so we could make our way to the airport.  It was a bittersweet ride - I am so very proud of him for taking on such a huge challenge and having the confidence and determination to follow his dreams.  I am so excited for this journey to unfold for him.  The other part of me was really beginning to realize that we will not see him for 5 months.  I knew it in my head, but was now feeling it in my heart.  In case anyone was curious, the send off for the PCT (round 2) was no easier than the send off for the AT (round 1) was 10 years ago.  Just as emotional, filled with just as much pride.

Andy, Cathy, Carole, Teddy, Jagger, Dakota & Kenn

My brother Kenn, Ted's mom and her friend Andy met us at the airport to see Ted off.  It was funny to see the reactions of the people who were slowly finding out what Ted was about to do.  Things like Ted having to explain to the TSA why there was a huge knife in his pack, and that his hiking stick was not just a souvenir, but a necessity for the next 5 months, sparked curiosity among some of the staff.  All were supportive and amused.

Everyone who knows me knows I cry over moments like this.  I personally thought I would have a mini breakdown right in the airport watching my children say goodbye to their father.  It was one of the most beautiful, proudest  moments I have ever felt for my family.  Their ability to express their love, support, excitement and sadness all rolled up into one huge hug and kiss amazed me




Yes, there were tears, but mostly happy ones.  Tears of we are sad you are leaving, but we support your dreams. Tears of we won't get to see you or hug you, but we will think about you and pray for you every day.  Tears of we are going to miss you, but we love you so very much. 

The kids were so brave to put on their happiest faces to send Ted off.  They bought him last minute Snickers bars, gave some last big hugs and somehow, we were able to hold it all together and send Scarecrow on his way.

 I appreciate everyone's well-wishes and support over the past few months, as we prepared for this journey.  All of the texts, phone calls, blog comments, visits, hugs, and encouragement is what will make this nothing but a spectacular, positive experience for my family!!






Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife