Years ago a colleague I worked with and whom always seem to have great advice told me " if you travel a lot for work maximize that time the best you can "For him that meant doing a lot of his shopping at the duty free and most importantly having his dad drive him and pick him up from all trips and grab a bite before security . This was his way to see his dad and to have quality time together often even more than twice a weekThe advice stuck with me . A couple of years later when I heard his dad had passed away my first thought was how lonely he would now be at the airport and how grateful be must have been for all the extra quality time he spent with his dad .For me airports and planes are a place to get important planning done for work and home . I come up with some of my best blogs best ideas and best work ideas while in transitAnd now I have added in that Chase drives me and picks me up . We joke in the car today that I might as well just sleep at the airport the amount of trips i have taken for work in the last 4 months . He could drive here with his eyes closed .
( I also have some of my best texting conversations with all three kids and hubby right before the plane takes off and as it lands as i always text them at these time. Last night Chase and i texted for 20 mins and had the craziest funniest and cool conversations. I also have realized how in the last three months i have gotten some of my best excercise in airports just walking so much. I seriously cant believe how much time i have spent in airports- i always travelled every couple of months for work over many years ... But this frequency is all new to me)I always just turn off my phone on those car rides and soak him in . I love how he lifts in and out my luggage from the trunk and hugs and kisses me as if I will be gone for a lifetime . I love how he tells me " I love you " every single time .It is a ritual I have come to depend on and I assume soon will share with Bear too who has his learners permit which will be so fun tooI left the house today with the three teens after half day of exams ( two days to go ) in the pool wth some friends too after a big game of basketball in the heat . I felt thankful they were off their phones and into their lives and happy and content to have their mom travel often for business and there dad work late . They are autonomous that is certain ! ( with a few lists of course to help them along the way ! )And thankful that chase seemed happy to be Interuppted to see his mommy off to the airport . I hope it is something my kids will always enjoy doing with me and I will always look forward too . And one day ..: their dad and I will be driving them to their business trips .