Cross Country Road Trip

Tom bought his first car last week.  It is a car he has actually been driving for years already.  It was the car that Maddy had at college and he was often the one to drive it.  He bought it from Maddy's father when they made a new car purchase and shifted some vehicles around.  It was so nice of them to offer it to him.  It is a 1995 Ford Taurus but has relatively low miles so hopefully he will be able to use it for a few years while he saves up to get a newer car in the future.  But for the time being, he is very proud of his new purchase.  One more rite of passage toward adulthood in addition to graduation and commissioning.

He and Bill left for Pensacola at 0 dark 30 yesterday morning.  Tom didn't get very much sleep--nervous, excited, etc.  And Bill planned on driving about 16 hours so it was a long day for both of them.  It is his first cross country driving trip since we moved to Vancouver almost 20 years ago so he doesn't really remember or appreciate what it is like.  And even then, the leg from Denver to Vancouver was on the train.  But they should have plenty of bonding time this week as they make their way across the country.

It is bittersweet for me to say goodbye to him knowing that it will be at least Christmas before I will see him again and that he isn't just an hour and a half plane ride or a 4 hour car ride away.  Can't just pick up whenever I feel like it to go visit.  But I am so very proud of him and wish him so much success and happiness as he starts his Air Force career.  I'm not sure why it seems so hard.  We didn't really see him that much while he was going to school in Ellensburg.  But it is that cross country distance that makes a difference to me.  And definitely--a lot less frequent visits now that he has grown up and chosen a career that will take him all over the country and world.  I am going to miss him very much.  But he will have quite a journey in front of him.  So let the journey begin!