Good Byes are tough

I had a great opportunity come up with the Marine Corps Reserves. They offered me a position with Marine Forces Europe where I will travel to Europe once or twice a year in support of different training exercises for the next 3-4 years. I am not sure there are many people who wouldn't seriously consider the opportunity for an all expense paid trip to Europe, plus a salary for a few weeks. I did miss the adventure and brotherhood aspects of the Marine Corps, and I felt this was a great way for me to be involved without impacting family or work too much. So I signed all the paperwork, got some shots, took some classes, hired a nanny, and put in for a leave of absence at work. Still it was tough to say goodbye to Ryan and the kids at the airport. I knew I was only going to be gone 4 weeks, but that was 3 weeks longer than I had ever been away from them before. I know Ryan is an absolutely wonderful father, but I still didn't like the fact that I was going to miss all the little moments in the kids lives, I would have limited control over things while I would be away, and I didn't get to Ryan with me on this great trip. Elizabeth was the toughest to say goodbye too because she started crying also.