Lost boy

We had a bit of a catastrophe the other night. We met up with friends and we (7 adults, 6 children) drove up to Rehoboth Beach, DE to their boardwalk. It's much nicer in DE and I don't know why we forget that every year. I swear, next year we are renting in Bethany or Rehoboth....(I say this every year...)

Anyway, the kids wanted to do the rides and everyone was having fun. Vincent and our friends little boy wanted to do this jungle gym type obstacle course thingie. Vincent took off his shoes and put them in the cubby and the friends DAD and I sent the boys off. We were chit chatting away standing in front of the exit, waiting for the kids to come out. The friends kid comes out and no Vincent. I'm waiting...looking...don't see him. I wait some more, thinking maybe he is in a tunnel. Waiting ..waiting..for almost 5 full minutes. No trace of him. I look over at the cubby and his shoes are gone. I did a double take and a triple take and his shoes are no where to be found. HE is nowhere to be found. I freak out and find Ray who was with Marina and tell him that I can't find him and his shoes are gone (which we both know means, he is out there in the sea of people trying to find us for more tickets!) 

Ray goes into Panic overload and starts combing the place at record speed. Finally, it felt like FOREVER but he returns with Vincent in his arms. Vincent was sobbing, Ray was teared up and I was so relieved! 

It turns out, Vincent did exit the obstacle course, got his shoes, ran right by me and when he realized he was disoriented he went up to a "Mom with kids" and told him that he can't find his mom and dad. The Mom walked him over to a female worker who was holding his hand walking him toward the ticket booth with him when Ray saw them from behind and yelled, "That's my son!"

Shaved 15 years off both of our lives. And as much as I criticize Vincent for not listening, I am so glad that when it mattered most he listened. That is always our plan. If we get seperated in a mall, or the beach, or a place like that I instructed him to either try to find a worker, a lifeguard or a mommy with kids. We had just gone over this the day before at the beach.