Tvs, I have been following your thread for quite a while now and thought I'd post my experience with my h's first trip to visit the ow. I felt much like you probably feel he packs his suitcase. I couldn't be in the house and just wanted the trip to fall through in one way or another. I hoped for bad weather a cancelled flight, ow not being there when he got there, a fight that would bring him back home and on and on.
When he returned he told me that he had several panic attacks (he should have gotten a clue from that but didn't) for which the ow him Advil! LOL He told me that I would have known what to do. As much as I hated that he went and that he stayed the entire time, I knew even then that there was nothing that I could do to stop him. Just know that it will more than likely be very awkward for him in many ways.
You are well grounded and I know you'll do just fine while he's away. The others are all giving you good advice. Keep yourself busy with whatever distracts you from thinking about him.
As for the hug. As long as you're prepared for however he might react, then go for it, girl! He might surprise you!
Me:57H:62 M:34T:35 2S,2D (grown nlah) BD:09/2012 visits M ow EA/PA?:10/2012 H moves out 06/2013
"Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace." -Dalai Lama
