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HER BACK-PACK IS ALMOST AS BIG AS SHE IS.
But on Wednesday, my 19-year-old daughter, who will turn 20 on May 3, left with her friend Caitlin on a trip to Europe.
They're scheduled to return on July 9 after having visited Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Venice, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Greece, Florence, La Spezia, Nice and London.
Wow. Double Wow. I'm envious of her, afraid for her, supremely proud of her, knowing of what this will mean for her and her life (because she'll never forget it), angry with her for not consulting me more...But she's so independent and didn't want anybody to hold her hand or to have people tell her how to feel or how to act or what to watch for...it's perfect, even with all those things.
The strings are cut, at least in some ways. I hope to follow her progress on her blog about it on MySpace. She should be in Paris by now after having arrived safely in London (yes, I checked).
Getting out of your environment and into another is a critical, life-enriching experience that no one who has never done it will ever know. And I'm not talking about trips to Disneyland or the Mexican Riviera.
OK, Dad. Butt out.
That bottom photo's a keeper! (And look -- there's JD with PP&M in that 40 year old video...) I also went to Europe the May I was 19 and stayed 3 months. And that's all I'm telling you because I don't want you to worry!
ReplyDeleteShe's an amazing young woman on the first huge adventure of her life.... you are so right to be proud, envious and anxious! She's your first baby and she's fully fledged... a momentous event in any parent's life.
ReplyDeleteWonderful picture of the two of you... and her curls are gorgeous!
Ah yes... my parents were pretty cut up when Aidan and I did our 3-month Europe trip back in 2005/6. It's a good thing she's doing, and you're right that she'll never forget it. It's a wonderful experience, being so far out of your comfort zone and adjusting accordingly. It really helps you know what you'll be capable of in life. She'll have a ball, and you'll miss her far more than she'll miss you!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe deleted comment was me, I accidentally posted twice :(
ReplyDeleteWe will look after her :)
ReplyDeleteI can feel your proudness oozing off the screen..... she will have the time of her life, and will learn so much about herself, her strengths and character..... what a wonderful wonderful opportunity..... lucky girl.....to have a dad as loving and caring and as proud as YOU....
Ya could of given her my name and address as a 'safety haven'....
x
Andrea:
ReplyDeleteYep, that's JD in the vid.
And by the sounds of your own trip at age 19, I should be afraid. I should be very afraid. :-)
Ponygirl:
Thanks. I guess she figured hauling a hair straightener around for almost 3 months didn't make a lot of sense.
She's going "au naturel."
Stace:
Ha! I can sympathize with your parents. And no doubt I'll miss her more than she'll miss me!
No time to think about what you're missing at home when you've got all this stuff to experience in the here and now, wherever the here may be.
Toasty:
I suppose I could have offered her some blogger pals' contact info and still could, if needed, but she would have sloughed it off...
Thanks for the offer, though. She'll be fine, I'm sure. :-)
I won't tell you what I did in Europe when I was 19 either..
ReplyDeleteBUT IT WAS AWESOME!
I just hope you weren't wearing socks with sandals when you saw her off at the airport.
ReplyDeleteShe would be so embarrassed!
Donn:
ReplyDeleteYou, I don't WANT to know what you did at age 19 in Europe.
You're exactly the type that would terrorize pretty young things like Andrea and my daughter...you cad...
MJ:
Are you kidding? It hasn't been warm enough here yet to even consider socks and sandals!
I just got an email from her. She's in Paris and they went to the Louvre today...
Always remember my previous spring fashion posts, where I detailed how it's actually in vogue to wear socks and sandals...
Ah! It's her birthday here in Oz, what an adventure for a couple of young people, off on an amazing journey and the smiles say it all.
ReplyDeleteGreat itinerary, and have allowed themselves time to enjoy each place, she has the most beautiful hair....safe happy travels and fun.
It is double wow.
Pam
She still looks like your little girl in that last pic. I guess she always will be your little girl.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with her ability to pack light. I guess with all that moving around from one country to another she has no choice. She's a smart cookie, that's for sure.
By the way lookin' good Mr Kotter! (If you don't get the reference, ask Donn.)
Pam (Sienna):
ReplyDeleteDouble wow indeed. She's now 20 (it's 9:51 a.m. in our part of the world on Saturday, May 3).
Anna:
She's not a super emotional one and open about expressing things, necessarily, so I'd keep the little girl sentiments to myself.
What, as in Welcome Back Kotter? I'll have to ask the arse formerly known as Homo Escapeons. It escapes me. :-)