Celebrating Lula

I have been trying to think of words, but there are none.

We released 100 Chinese lanterns for Lula at the end of her service, while listening to music she had personally picked. It was magical and precious and glorious, just like the little girl we were celebrating.

This little video brings me to tears every time I watch it. I am reminded of where Lula is as she waits for us to reach the end of our slow path. She's done it. She's chasing the wind and touching the sky.

And it seems like all is dying and would leave the world to mourn

In the distance hear the laughter of the last unicorn

I'm alive! I'm alive!

-The Last Unicorn

the perfect day

My moment began very late last night, and is continuing to go on even now.

It's almost like we'd been playing at marriage and parenting for the first four and a half years (excluding time during the deployment).  But today . . . this is real.  This is what home is supposed to be. This is how it should have always been.

I can't describe it better than that.  I am filled to the brim with hope.  The rest of the deployment looms ahead, but this is what we have to look forward to.  And really, it's because of the deployment that this even exists.

Wow.