1 Thessalonians 4:18 – So encourage each other with these words.

Gratitude Day 900

It had been a LONG travel day. Yet, I arrived home to THE. BEST. PRESENT.

Since my flight was in the middle of the night, I arrived at the Bangkok airport very early before the trains shut down for the night. Twenty plus hours in a plane on two different legs. And I slept very little on the flights.

We arrived in Chicago mid-afternoon of the same day that I’d left Bangkok. Leaving a time zone 12 hours ahead of central time and crossing the international date line made this possible. My plan was to get on the first available bus from Chicago to Madison where Hubby Rick would pick me up. We hadn’t seen each other for 17 days.

Transferring luggage from the plane to the retrieval spot took a long time. After two hours of patiently waiting, I was on the bus, headed to Madison.

It was hot and humid when I left Thailand. It was equally as sweltering when I arrived back in the Midwest. Yet, the temperatures were not foremost on my mind. It was seeing my husband.

You see, this was also our 24^th wedding anniversary. August 26, 2000, had also been a warm one. It stormed early in the morning. Rather than breaking the hot and humid temperatures, the heat rolled in right after the thunderclouds dropped a lot of rain in a short period of time. It had been a sticky day, our wedding day. Why shouldn’t our anniversary be as well?

We stopped for a quick bite to eat at a regular, ordinary place. Nothing fancy. Honestly, after 24 years, fancy isn’t at the top of our list. It’s being together. Appreciating each other. Knowing that we show up for each other, no matter what is going on.

A few days before I left for Thailand, Hubby Rick expressed a little hesitation about me going. It had been a long time since we’ve been separated for these many days. Thailand isn’t exactly a hop, skip and a jump away. Multiple times, he wanted me to confirm that I would “come home.” On the day we flew out, he asked my nephew to “take good care of me.” Yes, he trusts me. It’s just that we also know there are often things out of our control.

A couple of days before my flight home, we had casually mentioned about my return date also being our anniversary. But we also knew to keep our expectations low for this day. I’d just be coming off of a day-and-a-half of travel. Would my body know what time zone it was in? (No, it wouldn’t. It still doesn’t.) Just being in the same house for the evening would be enough.

As we turned the corner into our driveway, Rick opened the garage door where I park my car. And this is what was on the wall.

His own special way of welcoming me home. A physical and big announcement that he was glad I had made it home. And yes, he had missed me.

Honestly, this isn’t the first time Hubby Rick has made what I would call non-traditional greeting cards. He’s painted things on the wall before. Made giant cardboard cards. Rick has a unique and special way of creating his own “cards” that are noteworthy, memorable and yes, deeply personal and touching.

And I love it. Every. Single. One.

Friends – making someone feel special does not require an expensive piece of jewelry. Or a dinner at a super fancy restaurant. What does it take? A few well-chosen words that convey all the emotions, feelings, and love that you want to bottle up and share. It can be a lifelong partner. Or a child, grandchild, sibling or special friend. Words matter. Taking time to convey and share those special words? Worth all the money in the world.

I often say that the gift of time is what we desperately need and yearn for in our lives. It’s a simple acknowledgement that speaks volumes and is a reminder that the other person is someone very special in your life. It doesn’t require a long letter, although these are great as well. Maybe, it’s just a few well-thought-out and well-chosen words expressed in a creative and unique way that make one’s heart swell is all that is needed.

And Hubby Rick? He knocked it out of the ballpark.

Later that evening, he mentioned painting over the words. Covering up his special welcome home present. My response? Nope. It ain’t happening. At least as long as we live in this house.

For a wonderful welcome home present, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Loving God – Thank you for loving me in such a special way. And thank you for bringing into my life someone who models unconditional love towards me as well. I pray those who read these words can appreciate Your love for them and know someone else has this same deep love for them. May I use my words well because words matter. Allow me to express to someone today how much they truly mean to me. Amen.

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