Every minute seemed like an hour for Ted and Barbara Archer as they waited for their daughter to step off the plane at the Charlottetown Airport on Wednesday and into their loving arms.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Laura Archer emerged from the wind-swept runway.
The Archers stood side by side, surrounded by family, friends and a throng of media.
But as Archer approached the double-doors leading into the airport building, Barbara Archer, Laura’s mom, could wait no longer. She ran ahead, grabbing her daughter and holding her in her arms. Ted Archer, Laura’s dad, wasn’t far behind.
Amid the bright lights of the television cameras, photographer’s flashes and warm hugs, was the astounding sound of applause from those who had gathered.
This was the first time the Archers had seen their daughter since she was kidnapped and held hostage for three days in the Darfur region of Sudan earlier this month.
Laura Archer says it was fantastic to see her family. She’s looking forward to a week of relaxation with her family.
“I have so many stories in my head about the kidnapping, about the five months I worked in Darfur leading up to the kidnapping, about what’s happening now in Darfur, what’s going to happen next week,” Archer told reporters.
