Where's Mars?

I took Cassie to the airport this morning.  She's flying solo to visit her friend 5 states away for the weekend.  She booked the flight, and paid for it, herself.  Since she's legally an adult going beyond the security check was not allowed for me.  My husband suggested that I could just drop her off and go.  She has her boarding pass and her carry on, there wasn't any reason for me to hold her hand. 

I should preface this with the background info that when my children turn 13 they fly solo to visit my sister in Cape Cod.  Because they are minors I am permitted to hold their hand through security and ensure they board.  My sister catches them from the air as they parachute into her arms.  Kind of.  Anyway, the exchange is painless and the kids look forward to this special weekend with their aunt.  So, Cassie has flown by herself before as that would explain why she was not the least bit nervous.

I did caution her to NOT let her guard down for a minute; especially in the bathroom, to be aware of her surroundings, people, etc.  I couldn't help myself - I added that this WAS an international airport and she didn't want to enter the bathroom, only to find an ether-laced hankerchief on her nose and mouth and wake up in some unbeknownst country in God-knows-what kind of situation. 

She thought that I was the pot calling the kettle black with how much I complained about the amount of TV everyone watches.

She humored me and texted me after she got through security, when she boarded the plane, when she arrived, when she was in her friend's car on their way to her dorm and I just got word that she is at the dorm.  Again, I can't help myself - I texted her to have fun, be safe and take care of her diabetes. 

Do you think I'll still be saying that when she's 40?  Do you think she'll roll her eyes or move onto just ignoring me?

Don't worry...I also texted her to make sure her friend returns her to the airport at least 2 hours before her flight because this airport is smaller than ours and the lines at security are Disneyworld long! 

When I returned home I wasn't sure what to expect.  I wasn't as long as I anticipated so I really thought I'd walk in on the kids playing the Wii or watching a crummy movie. 

Instead I walked in to a quiet house.  Tara built a fort in her room and was reading to Luke in it.  Jake was making an early lunch and Elaina was working on her planet project.

"Where's Mars?," she asked when I walked in.

On the other side of worry in some unbeknownst country called adulthood.


"Here, let me help you."