The plane lands with a rough bounce, my heart lands with anticipation. Its fast beats s l o w d o w n t h e w o r l d a r o u n d m e. D i d i t a l w a y s t a k e s o l o n g f o r e v e r y b o d y t o l e a v e t h e p l a n e?
I walk fast once I am out. Quickly, I hurry past a woman, past a father with his child, past a very important business man,
until I am finally at the border control. Moi! I say and smile. The luggage takes ages to appear… a blue one… a big one… a clearly heavy one… no more space for stickers on that one… a red one… a grey one – finally! I hurry down the last little bit, the doors open – there! The smile that greets me reaches his eyes lock with mine, two grins, a few steps and finally, the embrace. He guides me outside more grins, a touch to make sure the other one is real. We leave the airport, he makes me laugh. How I missed his smile. With excitement, happiness and a little bit of fear I think: Maybe for Mama’s birthday we fly finally together.