Monday 10 September 2012

MUCH WANTED KISSES

The weeks leading up to my husbands R&R were nerve-wrecking! Too many questions flew through my head, Will he still find me attractive? How do I kiss him; Do I even know how to kiss anyone, it's been that long!!! What do I do in the bedroom? What do I wear? What do I say? What if I don't recognise him? Butterflies fluttered around my stomach, making me excited, making me feel sick with nerves.

The count down turned from double figures to 9, 8, 7 (one week!!!), 6, 5, 4 (Oh my gosh!)... The weekend before H came home I had taken J to London for a football training day, and a tour around Arsenal Emirates Stadium with an absolutely amazing charity called My Daddy Is A Soldier Adventures (www.mydaddyisasoldieradventures.org). I cannot thank this charity enough for making my sons experience such a good one.



J supports Arsenal anyway, but he had the most fantastic day and still talks about it now, a month on! Whilst I was stood outside the Emirates Stadium awaiting our tour my mobile phone rang. "Afghanistan" and my husbands picture flashed up on the screen. I answered excitedly, eager to tell H of J's football training that morning and to say we were about to have our tour of the stadium. He also had something he was eager to share with me... "Baby, I'm coming home tomorrow". So I went from 4 days left to ONE! I cried, tears of joy. My stomach squirmed!

Thankfully I had my legs waxed the day previous, but I had so much to do before he came home. I stayed at my friend's house in Aldershot after the football day, and I felt like bouncing around constantly! The morning after I had to quickly pack up the car, pack up the children, and hit the road... The road that lead to the moment I had been waiting 18 weeks for! As stupid as this sounds but I was seriously worried about the first kiss.

Cruising down the M4 I was hyperactive, stressed, anxious, excited and nervous. I got home, finally! So much to do, so little time. Shower - check. Hair dried - check. The in-laws turned up ready to look after the children for when I go to the train station to pick up my soldier!! The watched the children for me as I applied my face, and pulled out outfit after outfit. I opted for a floral, lightweight, loose mini-dress, tan flip-flops and my denim jacket. I was shaking all the way to the train station. I got there with roughly 25 minutes to go, and I was parked in a 20 minute short stay space. I spoke to the attendent by the station entrance, after explaining my situation the lady was more than happy to let me through and said to not worry about my car.

I stood there waiting. Texting him! 'I'm pulling into the platform now baby' a text I received read. I was still shaking, more than ever. I stood there looking at the crowd walking towards me. I could not stand there and watch him walk towards me, I stood to the side so I could no longer see the crowd. So many people were filing out of the tunnel. Queueing to pop they're tickets into the barriers to let them through. I see it... The flash of camoflauge and tanned skin. I looked up. My handsome husband was showing his ticket to the guard, I slowly walked towards him, weak at the knees. I fell into his arms and collapsed into his embrace. "I'm home baby" he whispered into my ear, and tears rolled down my face. And there it was, the kiss! I pulled myself away from his chest and looked up at him, still being held up in his arms. He lowered his face to meet mine. Everyone in the station stopped, stopped for us, the world stopped. It was just me and him.

We walked back to the car, I felt like a little kid. I just kept looking at him. It was like a dream. I was waiting, any moment now I'd wake up! He softly kissed my lips once more before he pulled out of the car park. All I wanted to do was touch him, kiss him. The reunion with the children was beautiful. I had not told T that his Daddy was coming home, J knew as he'd watched me cry when I heard the news of H coming home early. T went running into his arms screaming "Daddy!!!!" and continuously told H's parents "This is my Daddy", just to make sure they knew who he was, they may have forgotten!

**IMAGE TO FOLLOW**

It was extremely strange having him home, having to share my evenings with someone, not that I was complaining! Our anniversary was coming up, two years wed. I have to admit those two years have had their ups and downs, but this was it, our turning point. Op Herrick 16 has turned our world around, in all the best ways! H had major anniversary plans, but they were a secret. The morning of our anniversary we exchanged gifts. I had bought him an Italian leather golf score card wallet. He loved it. He pulled out two boxed. I was excited. I opened the biggest box, it was a beautiful Pandora bracelet, complete with an angel charm. H told me the charm is to look after me when he is away. I wanted him to place it on my wrist straight away, but I had to open my other small box first. Inside the small ring sized boxed sat a small Love Letter Pandora charm, held in place with a dusk pink ribbon. "That is for the letters we have sent each other whenever I'm away" he said. He said he is going to fill my bracelet over the years with charms that tell our story. He is too romantic sometimes, but it makes me fall in love with him over and over again.

**IMAGE TO FOLLOW**

He then took me to one of my favourite towns, Brecon. We sat in a lovely coffee shop and I had a pot of tea with scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. What H had planned for the morning had been called off due to weather issues, however it was a beautiful day in Brecon so I was happy. The cancelled surprise had been rescheduled for the following day. After a lovely time in Brecon, he led me back to the car. Where to next?? We drove back towards Cardiff, and H pulled into the Country House where we got married. He said we were just stopping there as it was too early to check into the hotel he was taking me. Next thing I know he is going to the toilet, and coming back with a ROOM KEY! He had booked us a room, back to where he made me his wife. He took me up to our room, the view from there was amazing, and it overlooked the front of the hotel where there was a gorgeous fountain. I was one happy lady. He instructed me to get ready as he was also taking me out for a meal and cocktails. I love this man so much it's unreal.

After an amazing night watching live bands and drinking cocktail after cocktail, we woke up and had a lovely breakfast in the hotel. I looked at him over the table, this man was mine. He was so handsome and gorgeous. I could eat him for breakfast... There were other people in the restaurant so I had to be satisfied with a sausage and some beans! H taunted me with the suprise that awaited me that afternoon. I convinced myself he was taking me on a helicopter ride, what else would be cancelled due to weather???

That afternoon H and I got into the car, he turned towards West Wales on the M4. 'Hmmmmm' I thought. I am terrible at guessing surprises so I thought it best that I just sit back and just wait until we arrived. We followed signs for Llandeilo. That was no hint to me what so ever. H looked at me and said "I think you should have put your hair up, although the helmet will cover that so not to worry. I hope they have boots that fit your tiny feet". Oh no! I still had no idea. He was obviously winding me up with these comments, what a tease! We pulled into a pub. Still no relevant clues. We ordered our drinks and sat on a lonely table in the pubs garden. We sat there and drank, I was slightly confused. After we had finished our drinks he told me to get back into the car. I did wonder for a moment, was that it, is he going to drive back home now? Haha! But he turned the opposite direction when pulling out of the pubs car park.

We drove down some country lanes, this surprise was getting more of a mystery the closer we got. We pulled up ouside a field. Woah! Inside the field there was a jeep, a big basket and a HOT AIR BALLOON! Wow! H was taking me on a Hot Air Balloon ride. I could not believe it. I jumped out of the car, and jumped on H giving him kisses. We jumped into the basket, H after me as he had to use his muscles to help the guy set up the balloon... And off we set. It was the most amazing view I have ever seen, and to share it with the love of my life made is 100% better. I kept looking over at the handsome man who held my hand. This was a brilliant surprise, and a surprise it was indeed. H and I kissed mid air, it could not have been better. Stuck in a basket, with my husband, watching the sunset as we floated over the beautiful scenery that was West Wales. H held me close and kissed me.

What a perfect surprise. I could not have wished for anything else. I love that man, and he will continue to amaze me forever.