Did you ever have that feeling

that you had finally done something right as a parent?  I don't mean to imply that most people don't, but I certainly don't always feel that I always do the *right* thing.  I might assume I am, but sometimes it seems as though it is years before I really know.  Yesterday, I knew.

I knew as this adult-like person marched out of customs into the international arrivals terminal at Dulles.  She pretended not to know me (I'd expect nothing less), and that was fine.  Why?  Because after a full week away, she came home wanting more adventure, not less.

Others straggled through customs and the gates.  They met their parties with tear-filled eyes and shouts of, "I never want to leave this country again!" (Really…I mean REALLY?).  I have a hard time comprehending that idea.  I understand being happy to be home, but never wanting to get out and explore again? 

Cait did not disappoint.  Two hours of pictures, talk of things that had changed, things that hadn't, oodles of picture and new kids she met at the school.  It was then I truly knew.

I knew that somehow, I, we had done something right somewhere along the way.  She went on this adventure with her own expectations and fulfilled them all.  She did it by herself at a far younger age than I ever would have conceived.  My doubts about my parenting skillz (or lack thereof) temporarily disappeared as I realized my daughter had successfully and happily navigated her first overseas trip. Yes, she had oodles of help from my friend, Berta, but she still had a lot to deal with on her own.  

I'd like to think that whether it's us or merely our lifestyle and the way we deal with it, that somehow we encouraged this adaptability and flexibility.  The curiousity that made her not only enjoy living in a place, but want to go back with such a ferverent longing.  And the truth?

I was nothing like that at her age.  I know my 13 year old self would be insanely jealous of Cait's ability to want to travel and navigate things on her own.  My 39 year old self?  I'm just very proud of of my 13 year old daughter and so glad that she has chosen to embrace what life offers her rather than just get through the different experiences and move onto the next one without looking back.