I Waited My Whole Life To Meet You

Mike Wilson: TAMPA — A dark-haired woman pushing a double stroller appeared at Airside E security Saturday morning nearly out of breath.

Two tiny girls reclined in the stroller. A blond woman bustled alongside, carrying bags and cardboard signs.

The dark-haired woman told the Tampa International Airport security officer, "My husband is coming back from his deployment, and he has never met his daughter. Can I go to the front of the line?"

Whatever had been important to the people in that line five seconds earlier suddenly ceased to matter. All that counted now was that this woman and her children get to the gate before her husband emerged.