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Today was one of those big days. One of those days that require me to shower, blow dry the hair, curl the hair and put on make-up.
It required me to leave the house to go downtown to the airport and meet people I have never met. This day included Shaun’s ex-wife who likes me one day and hates me the next, her ex-husband (who turned out to be a really sweet guy), his family, cousins of those people I have never met, balloons, banners and a camera man.
Dennis was greeted with quite a group of people who love him so very much. I was truly moved by the people that came out to meet him at the airport and welcome him home for his visit.
Den was the first of Shaun’s kids I was allowed to meet. Shaun and I took our relationship pretty slow and decided it would be awhile before each of us met each other’s children. Dennis is Shaun’s step son from his his first marriage. He took on Dennis and his little sister when they were pretty young so Shaun has always been a part of their lives…much like he’s a part of my girls lives.
I met Dennis at a pizza place for our fantasy football league. We hit it off instantly and I actually think he had a big role in the fact that Shaun and I are still together today. I could laugh and joke with Dennis like I had known him for years. After Shaun and I left the pizza place he asked me what I thought of him and I said, “He’s a good kid.” and that statement still rings true. I think Dennis might have said he thought I was totally cool and Shaun would have to be a moron to let me go…but that’s just my speculation.
He came down the escalator today dressed in his lighter colored army duds looking handsome as hell and I got choked up a bit. I stood on the other side of the group of people waiting for him (hooting and a’hollerin’ like they were from the mountains) and I took pictures. I didn’t hoot or holla. I just stood back and took pictures like an innocent bystander. I got to see everyone’s expression as he made his way through the crowd hugging everyone as he did. His Dad, His mom, his sister and other relatives. He was making his crowd towards someone and I was bound and determined to get the shot of the person he was heading for. He was stopped a few times and I got those hugging pictures. When it dawned on me who he was actually looking for my heart swelled with pride. It was Shaun. I didn’t get the picture because I just stood there and watched them. He stopped moving through the crowd once he made his way to Shaun and he hugged him and then turned back around and made his rounds again.
I don’t think Shaun caught this because he was caught up in the moment of seeing his boy. I was happy to be the bystander behind the camera making sure I got the picture.
I know the love that Dennis has for Shaun will be the same my kids have for him. It’s born from respect. Shaun is funny and cracks jokes and teases. He also demands respect and gets it in the most subtle ways. Today he might have missed it, but he got it. I know when my girls grow up and they are coming home or walking across a stage they will have me and Dan there cheering them on, but I also know that Shaun will be there in the crowd with us and he will get his hug and will always know how much he is loved.
but if he doesn’t stop with teasing me about adverbs and the proper use of ‘incredibly quickly’ I will dump his ass so fast his head will spin.