It wasn't a question on whether I would go to the airport or not, I had planned on going for as long as I could remember. And of course Alex requested that I be there. So many things were running through my mind as the date of his return crept up on me. Will he still like me? Will I still like him? What should I wear? Should I hug him? What perfume should I wear? Is he going to try and kiss me? I spent the week shopping for a cute outfit to wear, and I must have tried on a dozen different ones before I made a choice. Tuesday was the day he was coming home and I made sure to get someone to work for me that day... there was no way I would be able to concentrate on a patient with what I was facing later that day!
Tuesday morning was suddenly here! And I was getting ready to see the boy I loved in just a few short hours. As we were about to leave my house (My mom, Steb, and Annie were all coming down to support me and to see "Gun" of course) My dad was leaving to work and had to put in his two cents. "Its going to be so awkward, and he may not even like you anymore" were the words of encouragement my dad had to offer. Thanks a lot dad, that really helps with my nerves! I was surprisingly calm most of the drive, and then the exit for the airport came. At that point there was definitely some swearing involved. We walked into the airport down to the bag claim area where we would wait anxiously for another 30 minutes.
There were huge crowds of people because there were several missionaries who were coming home that same day. I remember one of the Elders in Alex's mission from Salt Lake who had returned a few months earlier was there waiting to see Alex again. I remember his words to me "I had a girl waiting for me too, but after a week of being home it didn't work out." Wow, thanks Bryan Warner for those words of encouragement as I am about to see Alex. After checking the arrival screen many times, Alex was going to be walking through the hallway into the baggage claim area ANY MINUTE now. As I waited with the sign I had made "I love you Elder Knowles," I started to see missionaries coming out and their mothers running towards them. I had to work up the strength not to burst into tears just watching strangers reunite with their families. I kept scanning the crowds of missionaries and their families and NO ALEX. I was wondering if he had missed his flight or decided to extend his mission last minute...? Well he had just decided to make us wait and be the last missionary to come out. I watched as he hugged his mom and the rest of his family. The lump in my throat got the best of me, and by then I was a crying mess. I waited my turn to give him a huge hug. I will never forget that moment as we were hugging he whispered, "We made it babe, I love you." And of course I whispered a "I love you too." BEST DAY EVER.
After that the whole clan ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Once we were back in Logan, we went to the Knowles house for a minute and then I was planning on leaving to go home until he was released. As I was leaving he says "Where are you going? Aren't you going to come with me when I get released?" Being a little surprised I agreed to stay with him. We went to the church about an hour later. What a special experience it was to have President Watterson release him, and to be there to experience it with Alex. As we were walking out of the church side by side, I felt Alex's hand slide right into mine. Butterflies fluttered like crazy. I was now his new companion. It didn't take long after that for me to realize he was the one who I wanted to share my life/eternity with.
For all of those girls who are waiting for a missionary, I just have a few words of encouragement. The wait is SO WORTH IT. Anything in life that is hard work, always pays off in the end. This is one of those situations. I am so glad I waited for the man of my dreams. And I fall more in love with him every single day.
Notice me on the left side, staring down my man
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