The Wait Is Over...

Here is the post you've been waiting to read, and I've been waiting to write.

Basically it was a long day. I'd been tracking his flights. His first one left late, but he got home 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. I arrived at the airport early, and his family showed up after me. We all waited, and talked and then his uncle walked over, showed me that his flight had landed and I lost it. I couldn't stop crying. My mom said, "it's 9:27," my heart stopped and we all finally walked over towards the escalators and I stood REALLY far back (you can see that in the pictures) and I was sobbing. I couldn't stop crying, I was SO happy. Everyone else was all clumped together and I just stood in the back, waiting.

Then my sister yelled, "THERE HE IS!!!!" And I continued to cry. He came down the escalator just smiling and I just sobbed. Hahahaha, of course he spent time hugging his family. It was really good to see him with them again. He hasn't seen his older brother in 4 years because his brother was on a mission when Brady left. I just patiently waited for the handshake that I knew was coming. I had no expectation of him hugging me, but it was awkward because I felt like everyone knew this "moment" was coming. Finally he had hugged everyone in his family, and I continued to wait patiently like I had been for 2 years. His dad walked over and said, "Brady!" and pointed at me, LITERALLY everyone's heads turned and looked right at me, (cue awkward moment) and Brady said, "I know" and then made his way over and shook my hand. He BARELY touched my fingers, and I just cried while saying hi. Hahahahahaha I felt dumb but oh well.

We stood by each other as people took pictures, and then he stepped away for a moment. The photographer that was there, but didn't grab a photo of us, because there were so many people around, so after letting him talk to family members, and watching him sneak looks at me. I seriously couldn't stop staring at him. He looks SO good. And he sounds the same, talks the same, jokes the same, he just is my best friend, but older. more mature, and just looks really good. Every time we made eye contact, it'd be for a split second and then he'd look away. I am so happy he kept sneaking looks at me, it just brought me comfort.

ANYWAY, the photographer brought him over to grab more photos of us. She kind of stepped back and I just looked at him and I thought, "I HAVE to say something!!!! I HAVE to say something to him. I can't just let him walk away without saying something to him!!" So I said, "So.... tomorrow, you get released at 10... is it alright with you if I go?" (even though his mom and I talked about it already and I was planning on going) and he looked at me and said, "yeah" and nodded his head all cute. I just died. He's SO cute. I can't stop saying that. Hahahahaha :) oh it was so good to talk to him. even if it wasn't for very long, or really about anything. we all just kind of stood around and talked, and I just couldn't stop staring at him.  We finally said our goodbyes, and I headed home, anxiously awaiting 10 AM the next morning :)

I have felt really sick to my stomach all night and I just want to die. I only got 3 hours of sleep, and I'm getting so anxious to see him this morning. I feel like I'm going to pee my pants all over again. But I cannot tell you how unbelievably happy I am, to have him home. Even though he will probably be weird for a while, and we'll have to get to re-know each other, I am so happy. He's real. He's home. He's my sweetheart, grown up. This is over. It's finally over.

I'm going to write a thank you post/letter to my MG's later this weekend. I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed and I'm sure he is too. It's been quite the experience but I don't regret a single moment.

He's home everyone! He's finally home...




So grateful for Jen, with Simply Sublime Photography for taking pictures for me. For catching these moments that I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for her kindness and willingness to do so. She's so sweet and if you're looking for a photographer, give her a call! :) I'm grateful for my sisters and my mom, for being there to support me, and to support Brady. I could not have done that without them. I'm grateful for Brady's family, for their love and support and for welcoming me to the family, even while he was gone. I'm so grateful to know every single one of them. I'm grateful to Brady, for serving an honorable mission, for making that decision that will bless him immensely for a lifetime. He is a shining example to me, and my heart is overflowing with love for him. I'm so proud of him.

Until next time....