Moments like these.

The homecoming. It was pretty much as expected! Bedlam. She may well have been away for 9 months...but nothing much has changed. B was beside herself. Like a scene from Love Actually, she was brought to tears as she watched travelers arrive through the gates and rush to their loved ones...and we didn't even know them! What was it going to be like when Popz came through those gates?

Yup, you've guessed it. Floodgates opened. She looked radiant when she did finally walk through. A sight for sore eyes, beautiful as ever if not more so. Steve looked great too sporting plenty of facial furniture and both looked healthy and fit.

Back in the nest, it was as if she had never left, orchestrating all frivolous activity, conducting every topic of banter. We hung on her every word as she walked us through her adventure exhausted and impressed by her appetite for anecdotes despite a 12 hour flight from Hong Kong. I think my 70yr old Uncle Jim was a little over-whelmed!

It's moments like these, when sitting back in silence listening to the repartee and laughter, watching the interplay and reciprocity - my family around our kitchen table - that I fully appreciate how lucky we are to have found a formula that works for all.

B's love for her children erupts through glazed eyes that sparkle in late evening light. No words could adequately illustrate the emotions that saturate her every action. There's no edge. There's no discomfort. Just joy to share. Instant 'sympatico'. The only thing lacking was Tom who was working, but still found time to call home mid-service for a 5 minute fix.

As the bedlam reached fever pitch, I found myself looking at B as she absorbed all the energy flying around the room. I felt a warmth run through my body like a Mexican wave. It's moments like these that we live for. The moments money cannot buy.

PS - Some great photos taken of all, but this one embodies for me everything I love about my daughter whilst at the same time sickens me that she is able to pull such expressions and not look as if she fell out of the ugly tree hitting every branch on the way down! Just Love that girl!