Arrivals and Departures.

Night Owl Confession #5.19.17-
I'm the friend who will always pickup a beloved friend from the airport late at night. Apparently, this is deemed "weird". I see it as a living yin and yang.
The reasons why I love the airport are as followed:
I never traveled on an airplane until I was in 8th grade, and that was to visit my aunt and her family in Salt Lake City. I still have never been to Disney. I travel, maybe, once or twice a decade.  
I love the quiet time in my car on the drive down. Just me and my beloved radio. 
This will be the complete opposite experience during the ride back. I am aware. 
I love seeing the most hated statue in Colorado. The blue horse with fiery eyes is such a grand vision at night. I'm also aware it killed its creator. As an artist, well... You know what? That's how I want to go. I love the image, the sculpture and the lore that follows. 
I LOVE the sign "departures & arrivals" I sense the emotions attached to each word as people drive towards the airport. Sadness. Anticipation. Once again, a yin and yang. 
I have my pickup routine down pretty solid. In and out under an hour and that includes a greet at the gate. I'm a parking pro.
While I wait for my friend(s), I get to take in the visual treat of the circus tent architecture and the metal columns. Ground meets sky. I have taken this photo so many times because I love it SO much. This is my favorite eye candy, by far. 
Then I get to people watch. I sit and witness how people of every walk and every nationality wait eagerly for their beloveds. Grumpy. Nervous. Excited. Some with sleeping children in footie pajamas wrapped around them as they wait. Each time, people's faces light up when they finally see "their person" in the crowd. Hugs, smiles and high fives. This sight always switches their moods 180 degrees within seconds. 
Then comes my time to step up to the bar and wait for "my people" Smiles and hugs are always guaranteed. 
Arrivals and Departures. 
My arrival. 
Our departure. 
Or is it?
Their arrival. 
Our departure. 
All I know that is certain is instead of listening to the radio, I'll be listening to my friend the entire way home talk about their trip.