Home from Russia

Nik is finally home!! After two years of missionary service in Rostov Russia Nik has returned. He looks great, a little pale, but great. Last night around 8:30 pm we picked him up at the airport. It wasn't a quick pick up either.
We were waiting at the airport in the baggage claim area with two other families for Nik and the other missionaries to come down the stairs. As we waited we saw passengers arrive from the Atlanta flight they were on. We continued to wait and we saw the pilots came down the stairs. One of the pilots asked if we were waiting for passengers from the Atlanta flight and we told him yes. He then informed us that they, the pilots, were the last off the plane but assured us that Nik and the other two missionaries were on the flight and that perhaps they were just in the bathroom. So we waited some more. Finally after there had been a lull in the people coming down the stairs we saw the three missionaries. It was like they planned on posing for their grand entrance, all smiles as the escalator brought them down. Us moms were the first to break the ranks and run to our sons to receive the long awaited hug. Tears, smiles and hugs were shared as we greeted him home.
Once we got the luggage we took Nik straight to the stake presidents office to be released. He reported on his mission. What a great missionary he was. The respect he had for the service and the love he had for the people (mostly) was evident. It took an hour for him to report and we loved every minute as he took us through a brief synopsis of his time there.
When we finally got him home one of his first phone calls was to Keren, his girlfriend. I think she was more excited to see him than anyone, except me of course.
It is so wonderful to have him home and safe. We are now going to spend our day at the doctors and dentist to make sure that we kill any bugs that were making him sick and that his teeth are ok.