So finally – after boarding their plane for the third time in Detroit – Andrew, Alicia, and Mr. T. made it to Raleigh. Yes, Rebekah traveled to Bahrain back in January, but this is the first time I have seen our “Intentionally International” family since Christmas of 2019. That’s pre-pandemic; that’s more than two and a half years; that’s way too long.

I was very impressed that Mr. T. immediately said “grandaddy,” and that he came to me without hesitation. He then proceeded to run, full-tilt, around the airport while his parents waited for the baggage. He is fast, he was trying his best to stay awake, and he is not too deeply invested in concepts such as “wait” and “stop” and “come back”!

He was – of course – fast asleep within a minute or two of being strapped into his car seat for the ride into Wake Forest.

Andrew and Alicia have rented an amazing AirBnB loft on White Street downtown, less than a mile from our house. So we will have all the time in the world over the next ten days to show them around and enjoy getting to know our American/English/German/Bahraini grandson.

Meanwhile, and as you can see from the photo in the gallery, my mum is overjoyed to see Andrew!

If you read me often then you know that I always park on the roof. I think some of these photographs will remind you of why.

Have an amazing Thursday. Peace and love – DEREK