A Very Long Hug at the Airport

My little sister moved to Japan to teach English for two years. This November, she flew home for the first time.

I stood at the arrivals gate at the airport for an hour, holding a sign that said "WELCOME HOME, SHORTY" with a drawing of her as a tiny stick person. My parents were next to me, holding balloons. My mother kept checking the board every thirty seconds.

When she finally came through the doors, she dropped her suitcase in the middle of the walkway and ran. We hugged for so long a security guard came over, then saw our faces and just smiled and walked away.

My father, who doesn't cry, cried. My mother cried. I cried. My sister laughed and said "You guys are so dramatic," and then cried too. We stayed tangled up together by the baggage carousel, and people walking past smiled at us. It was the best hug of my life.