Marissa flies to Utah

Tuesday morning everyone was up at 6:00.  Robert got ready and went to Seminary.  Marissa and Betsy continued to pack up her last minute items, weighed each suitcase to make sure it wasn't over the 50 pound maximum weight - we did awesome.

Soon it was time to load everything into the van and head off to McDonalds.  Mark went ahead of us so Robert wouldn't be waiting, but we all arrived at the same time - perfect timing.  Going to McDonalds for breakfast has become a Lowe family tradition when someone in the family is leaving for BYU or the MTC.  We met at the McDonalds in Crestwood for the first time, since Robert has seminary at the Crestwood Stake Center, it was more convenient.

We had a fun, but too quick breakfast together.  Robert and Marissa hugged and said their good-byes before he had to leave to go to school.  Marissa went with Mark in the van on the way to the airport, while Betsy followed close behind.

The airport is under construction.  It was confusing at first - how to find the Delta check in but then Marissa and Mark made it.  Her back were the perfect weight; she is all checked in.  We walked with her to the security check point until we weren't allowed to go any farther.  This is the part where it gets so hard for everyone - it's the final and last goodbye for 18 months.

Mark cried, Betsy cried, Marissa cried.  Everyone had tears - not tears of sorrow, but tears because we have loved being with her so much for the past month and now it is so hard to let her go ... but we must.  This is also the longest Marissa will have ever been away from home.  She can get homesick, so we hope and pray she will do okay.

She called and let us know that Delta changed the gate but didn't tell some of the passengers.  Luckily, a gentleman checked as it was getting time to depart but they still had not called for boarding.  The plane was boarding at another gate.  Marissa was one of the last ones on the plane but she made it.  She slept on the plane - yay!!!  She arrived in Atlanta and made it to her connecting gate.  She arrived in Utah on time.  Alan was there to collect her bags and take her to his place for the rest of the day and night.  She had a wonderful night with Susan, Alan, Mikayla and Kailoni!

Oh - how I miss her so.  So much my heart aches for her - but I must be strong and not make her cry or miss home any more than she already does.

I miss her so much because she is such a ray of sunshine around the house.  She is always happy and cheerful - she always has been!  I miss her sweet smile, her gentle hugs and the beautiful sparkle in her eye and her wavy long red hair.  I miss how she and I had the chance to make  treats together - no bake oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies with Nutella in them, brownies and even chocolate covered strawberries.  I miss her being in her room at night, and talking with me in the car.  We had the best time together at home.