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Happy reunions at O'Hare as travelers power toward Thanksgiving

Her arms outstretched in a V-shape, Penny Facchini rushed her daughter Renee and swept her up in a bear hug Tuesday at O'Hare International Airport.

With Renee in her senior year at college in Denver, "this is it," Penny Facchini said, beaming. "I don't ever have to come to O'Hare during Thanksgiving week again."

Similar reunions cropped up throughout O'Hare, where 1.3 million travelers are expected Tuesday through Monday. More than 535,000 more flyers are projected at Midway over the holiday.

With weather cooperating, travelers had few complaints, including Ryan and Caitlin Gavina, who were delighted to be on the last leg of their journey from Fort Worth, Texas, to Mundelein, with a toddler and preschooler in tow.

"This one fell asleep," Caitlin Gavina said, pointing to son Mason, 2, in the Terminal Three baggage level. "This one loves airplanes," she said of 4-year-old Matthew.

The foursome was headed to Ryan's parents' home in Mundelein, where he grew up, for a Thanksgiving feast with a Filipino twist.

"We're just going to relax and spend time together," Ryan Gavina said.

"As much as you can with a 2- and a 4-year-old," Caitlin added.

The busiest day of the Thanksgiving juggernaut is Sunday, with nearly 90,000 passengers projected at Midway International Airport and about 249,000 passengers at O'Hare.

Up on the departures level, Bill and Jody Sieck of Evanston were in uncharted territory.

"This is pretty much a first - we usually stay here," Jody Sieck said.

Instead, the couple were headed to Washington, D.C., to pick up their daughter and rendezvous with extended family.

"It's my favorite holiday. You don't have the stress of gifts and it's just about family," Bill Sieck said.

Back on the lower level, Winnetka resident Jane Irwin ticked off the ingredients that make her turkey stuffing a must every Thanksgiving while keeping one eye on the arrivals escalator for her No. 1 son.

"Sweet Italian sausage, green apples, dried cranberries, bread ...," Irwin tallied while waiting with her youngest son, Daniel Romo, a senior at Miami University in Ohio.

On cue, Robbie Romo appeared on the escalator, back from graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

"Not everyone gets to celebrate something like this ... being able to come home and have time with your family," he said.

The Chicago Department of Aviation advises passengers to arrive at the airport two hours in advance of domestic flights and three hours ahead of international flights.

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  Penny Facchini of Highland Park greets her daughter Renee, who returned from college Tuesday at O'Hare International Airport for the Thanksgiving holiday. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  About 1.3 million travelers are expected through Monday at O'Hare International Airport. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Ryan and Caitlin Gavina with their sons Matthew, 4, and Mason, 2, wait for bags Tuesday at O'Hare International Airport en route to Thanksgiving with family in Mundelein. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Robbie Romo of Winnetka, center, is greeted by his mother, Jane Irwin, and brother, Daniel Romo, upon his return from the University of Pennsylvania as Thanksgiving reunions abound Tuesday at O'Hare International Airport. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Jody and Bill Sieck of Evanston are flying to Washington, D.C., to visit family for the holiday on a busy travel day Tuesday at O'Hare International Airport. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
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