A Hero's Welcome

I’m so nervous. One would think I’d be excited, which I am, but I’m nervous too.  I straighten my dress. It’s new. I love sun dresses. He always used to tell me how beautiful I looked--- no matter what I wore, but I really want him to think I look pretty today. I want him to know I never forgot about him. I missed him. I believed I would see him again, but I never knew when. Today is the day. Today I’m going to see him again. Today he’ll know everything he never knew… I hope.

There’s a plane in the distance and I pray it’s the one he’s on. It’s been windy lately; today is no exception. My hair is swirling about my face as I clasp the sunflowers I’ve brought with me. I don’t know if he’ll like or want them--- flowers aren’t very manly, but I need to hold something. I knew I would need something to break the tension. He isn’t expecting me. Flowers are a friendly gesture. He was a close friend when he left. I hope he likes the flowers. I hope he’s happy to see me. I’m still so nervous. There’s so much he needs to know and no way I can tell him.

The plane lands. So many young men are exiting. So many who went, barely knowing themselves, now knowing more than I could imagine. They all wear the same uniform and they’ve all grown in ways I’ll never experience. All of them look so sharp and clean, and everyone has someone here waiting for them. Waiting just like I am.

Everyone is so cheerful; the atmosphere is unusually but comfortably joyous. I’m looking for him. I’m looking for my hero. I keep searching. I see wives and girlfriends running to their loved ones--- some with newborns meeting their fathers for the first time. It’s all I see. It’s all I can focus on. I feel myself tightening my grip on the flower stalks as my vision begins to blur, tears welling in my eyes. I’ve been waiting and watching for so long. I’m enthralled watching the happiness fill the air.

Entranced by all the young lovers, he sees me before I see him and I’m interrupted as he grasps my hand and holds me as though he never wants to let go. I drop the flowers. They don’t matter anymore. With a deep kiss, we’re just like all the other young lovers now. Shyly, I look away momentarily. Tears begin to roll down my cheeks and as he lifts my chin, gazing deeply into my eyes, I smile.

Today he knows everything I ever needed him to know.