Oh my stars and garters...it's only 5 days

[LovingMomofRyan]

until I see Ryan for the first time since his lockup. I called at 8:00 this morning and was one of the first 10 families ... so that means we get 4 full hours with him. I am afraid I am just going to sit and cry for most of the visit. But I will get to see him...soak him in and keep trying to memorize his face. He was such a child when he went in at 17...and now he is 24. Those are years that he will never get back..years that I did not get to see him change from a child to a man. But come Saturday morning, I will be re-introduced to my son. Man, I hope they have Kleenex there since I was told I can't take any in with me. I am going to be a blubbering mess.

[nicenjazzy]

Shut the front door and bless your heart!!!! I am so glad for you! I have recently been where you are except it was my boyfriend I went to see for the first time in almost 9 years!! I thought we'd be a snotty mess too but once we saw each other it was all smiles and giggles! Wow yours is a reunion that I would love to see!!! I can only imagine how you must be feeling. Hope you have a wonderful visit!

[bluebella]

GOLLY GERTI!! There are guys at my son's visitation he will mention having family from far away...also others seem to know when somebody comes to see him, he has not seen in awhile. This is big and there are many looking forward to this visit inside and out!!! I for one, your cyber buddy am looking forward to hearing back!! It will be a great visit. Find the bathroom and grab some tissue, he may, probably will get there after you arrive. Emty pockets could include tissue in my case of going through the metal detectors!!! GET BACK HERE SOON>>waiting!!!

[Here4Us]

Makes me cry thinking about how wonderful this will be. Soak him in and enjoy every second. Hugs all around!
xoxoxo

[Emelyn]

Have a lovely visit! I'm just so excited for you, I can't imagine what you must be feeling now, please enjoy every single minute of your visit! take good care of yourself these few days and have a wonderful visit!

[asmom]

Have a wonderful visit! Bless your heart, enjoy every minute of it.

[1bird2]

WOW....I just can't imagine how emotional ....and AWESOME this will be for both of you!!! I'm light headed just thinking about it!!!! I always cry myself when I SEE those being visited for the first time in years!!! I am so intensely excited for both of you....and so thankful! ENJOY EVERY MOMENT!!!!....and come back here and give us a blow by blow account!!!! WE WANT TO HEAR IT ALL!!!!! I'm ginning right now!!!!!
WOW!!!! Just tell them the roll of bounty paper towels is a necessity!!!
Love and prayers and smiles and dances....and a few clouds to dance on!
XXOO

[sleepless in Tu]

How exciting to visit after so long!I'm so glad that your health improved and your doctor okayed travel to visit your son!Of course you'll be crying happy tears and since there are no Kleenex allowed,wear a blouse made of super absorbing fabric!Lol when I cry my nose runs faster than tears so I'm not a pretty picture.Have a wonderful time with your son and please update us!

[Bamagirl49]

I think this is wonderful to hear that you get to see him hope you can have pictures taken enjoy the visit and we really need to know about the tissues can't believe there wouldn't be none
Give us lots of details
I'm hoping for a visit for my son he is so faraway it takes a lot of planning vacation and money and gas etc
Can't wait for your post enjoy

[bumblebee37]

Originally Posted by LovingMomofRyan

Man, I hope they have Kleenex there since I was told I can't take any in with me. I am going to be a blubbering mess.

I suggest when you get there you make a trip to the bathroom and spin that toilet paper roll for awhile, like wrap it from your finger tips to your elbow so your have a supply of tear wipers. Chances are when you make that bathroom break after everyone gets herded in the others already know that so when you go pee-pee you get to wipe your azz with a paper towel that feels like chewed up cardboard...or those were my experiences.
I'll be thinking of you. Hug him for me too. bb

[LovingMomofRyan]

You all are so sweet. I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up to Friday morning already. I have already called and re confirmed our hotel reservation..gone to the bank and gotten 50.00 in quarters (since I found out that both Brian and I can have 25.00 apiece)..gotten the dog sitter ready and waiting to come and take care of the pugs. Now it's just more waiting. But I do have a question about the whole visiting process that ya'll can help me with. From the time we get there, give them our drivers licenses and get taken to whatever place we will get the visit..how long before Ryan will be brought in? I guess I mean, what is the whole process for the inmate? Anybody?

[LoyalMom]

Loving Mom - I can't answer your questions, but I will say that you are blessed! I am in Georgia and my son is in Beaumont, Texas. I don't know when I'll be able to see him, touch him, hug him. Not to mention that it is a financial hardship to make plans to see him. His wife and children live in the Dallas metroplex and it is a 6 hour trip one way for them to go see him. Not to talk about the expense (gas, time, etc.) to see him. Enjoy your visit and be thankful. Best wishes to you and your son. Treasure the moment as I know you will. There are happy moments in all this S--T! I think that there should be a rule or law that inmates aren't sent more than 200 miles away from family so it doesn't present such a hardship on family members to visit. LM

[bumblebee37]

Well, I know it's going to feel like forever BUT the truth is the wait is a s long as they want to make it...there is no telling could be 5 mins or....

[tglsmom]

Originally Posted by LovingMomofRyan

You all are so sweet. I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up to Friday morning already. I have already called and re confirmed our hotel reservation..gone to the bank and gotten 50.00 in quarters (since I found out that both Brian and I can have 25.00 apiece)..gotten the dog sitter ready and waiting to come and take care of the pugs. Now it's just more waiting. But I do have a question about the whole visiting process that ya'll can help me with. From the time we get there, give them our drivers licenses and get taken to whatever place we will get the visit..how long before Ryan will be brought in? I guess I mean, what is the whole process for the inmate? Anybody?

I imagine the process is different in each prison and in each state. I know that in the prison where my son is, once the visitors are processed in (paperwork, hand stamp, metal detector) we are lead to the visiting area. Sometimes our son is waiting for us, but most of the time we sit and wait for him to come out. We usually don't wait long, but we've also had to wait for over an hour which is super nerve wracking! I think the inmates have to go through a strip search before they are allowed to come out. It's the same process when they go back in.

Wow - just think - only 3 days to go!! Don't worry about crying. I wouldn't be surprised if your son cries, too. My son cried at our first visit and it wasn't nearly as long as you've waited. Have a wonderful visit and let us know how it went!

[Gavin123]

OMG...All I can say is enjoy every single minute of your visit, soak it all up...tell him everything you need to say and most of all Laugh a LOT...It is the best. Love him with everything you've got and more.
Keep us in the loop...
{{{HUGS}}}

[Lordbew/us]

Praying everything goes smoothly. I know you'll treasure every moment!!! I'm sure your son is as excited as you!!! Get all the hugs and kisses in you can!!!

[LovingMomofRyan]

Just a few more days to go. Going to the bank today to get the quarters. Just waiting on my ride now.

[momalways]

I hope you have a wonderful visit with Ryan! You must be so excited to see him after such a long time. And for 4 hours! I'm glad it's a long visit. I'm so happy for both of you. Enjoy your time together!

[RaRi]

It's 3am on Friday morning~ I wonder if you are awake?? I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear all about your visit. How long has it been since you have seen your son? I feel like it's been 4 years? My son went in at 19 he's 27 now, I've watched him grow into a man, it's been hard knowing where he's grown into a man.
Like BB said grab a whole bunch of toilet tissue to sop up. Enjoy every single minute, I can almost feel that first hug!!

[RaRi]

Originally Posted by RaRi

It's 3am on Friday morning~ I wonder if you are awake?? I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear all about your visit. How long has it been since you have seen your son? I feel like it's been 4 years? My son went in at 19 he's 27 now, I've watched him grow into a man, it's been hard knowing where he's grown into a man.
Like BB said grab a whole bunch of toilet tissue to sop up. Enjoy every single minute, I can almost feel that first hug!!

RaRi aka mrsrimoldi

[bluebella]

Friday thinking of you!! Hope all goes well. I bet your son is waiting by the door to come in. Everybody is on pins and needles, so excited for you both!!

[slcjd92]

Lisa - I wish you a fabulous visit with your son. It was hard for me to see me son grow up to be a man inside but he is a good man despite where he is at and I just love to feel his arms around me and his kiss on my cheek when we are able to go and see him so cherish those moments this weekend so you can close your eyes after visit and relive it over and over again. God Bless you and your family.

[Noeleen]

LovingMomofRyan.. have a great visit. Hold and love your son every minute that you can. I will be thinking of you.
Kia Kaha. Stand strong
Arohanui

[sleepless in Tu]

Thinking of you and your son this morning.Have a wonderful visit and safe travels!

[ocean girl]

I can't wait to hear all about it! Sooo happy for you. You are both in my prayers.