"We love you. Be sure to write," his Mom called after him as he left his family behind at security.

Looking out the window at the gate, he felt he might not be ready for this after all. Never before had the jet on the tarmac seemed so big. Even the first plane he'd flown on as a 3rd Grader some 15 years ago didn't seem so imposing.

"Last call for boarding Flight 2807 to Dublin" crackled the voice on the intercom.

He glanced at his ticket -Seat 23C- grabbed his backpack and headed towards the gate.