Waiting for that plane to disembark felt like it took forever. We just kept our eyes peeled on the jetway. (Okay, I know it's really the exit through security, but jetway sounds a whole lot better.)
Kathy (mother) slowly inched her way forward:
There he is!
The five minute hug:
Okay, I just have to say something. I absolutely love watching Kathy welcome her returning missionaries. I hope she doesn't misinterpret it and think I'm laughing at her. I'm not at all. It truly warms my heart, and I look forward to it as much as I look forward to seeing whoever we're welcoming home. A mother's love is so deep, that I think even we mothers don't realize just how deep it is most of the time. Something has to happen to remind us. It could be our pounding hearts when our child has narrowly missed being seriously injured. It could be the moment of panic when we briefly lose sight of our child in a crowded place. It could be the sudden moment of peace and love we feel when we see them asleep in their beds.
Or it could be this. Watching Kathy wait for her children to return to her reminds me just how much we love our children. It brings tears to my eyes just writing about it.
But back to Nathan. :) We were all just thrilled to see him:
Just for the record, I realize I'm not technically supposed to hug him until he's released. (Missionaries aren't supposed to hug any girls except their mothers.) But I don't care. I've known Nathan since he was 3 years old so he's one of Brian's brothers I feel pretty protective about. (You should have seen this cute little guy trailing after Brian when we were dating. So cute!!) Anyway, so yeah. I totally hugged him, more than once, and I don't care at all. ;)
Nathan's plane got in at 9:45 am, and afterwards we basically spent the whole day back at the house visiting (and eating). It was great. At 5:30 we went to the church so he could officially be released. It was a special experience. Watching him at that time I realized something. He's really grown up. He left just a boy, but he's returned a man. He served an honorable mission and I'm proud of him for it. He set an excellent example that I hope my boys will follow.
Here's a few pics we took at the house after returning
Nathan, we love you and it's so good to have you home!
6 comments:
I love the 5-minute hug, too! We only had one missionary in my family (only have 1 brother and none of the girls happened to go) so we really milked it. It's such a great experience to see them go, share the experiences for 2 years, and welcome them home so changed!
I got teary-eyed reading this. I love missionary homecomings. And you're right- they leave as boys, but come back as men.(well some come back still needing a swift kick in the behind(perhaps you recall me telling you and Deb about Daniels brother)-
How neat for your boys to see his example!
awwww. . . just reading it tugged at my heart. Welcome Home Nathan!
You've gotta go with the spirit of the law on that one... hugging a bro-in-law that you've known most his life makes you practically his sister, and they can hug sisters too. :)
Yeah, guys are always up for picking on people, even if it must be done while wearing a suit. LOL.
PS I would walk everywhere too. When it's cooler, if I don't need a bunch of things at the store, I walk to Bashas'.
Oh, I can't believe he is home and we DIDN'T even get to see him!!! I LOVED reading all about it though. Thank you so so so much for writing all about it and putting up pictures!! I almost started crying too! Nate looks so good, he still looks like Nate :). I don't think Blake knows that he is even home, so I will have to surprise him tonight by telling him the awesome news! Oh, and I think that it is totally appropriate that you hugged him. He is your little bro too. Well, I can go on and on commenting at all the wonderful pictures so I will stop now:) Thanks again Donna!
How awesome. I have four brothers and this reminds me of them coming home. I love a good missionary homecoming. . . even if I don't even know the missionary!
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