We are home.
Remember the over-the-top trip my husband was planning? The one I shared with you, Dear Reader, because it was to start in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean and the second segment was to be a surprise for me?
A surprise that was making me a bit anxious?
Having just dumped out our suitcases, let me give you a full report.
Four days in a villa over ocean waters clearer than any swimming pool I had ever seen — magical.
Watching Husband’s perpetual 12-day smile as his miles-chasing dreams came to life on one fancy airplane after another made my heart smile.
Two of those flights took us from that small Maldivian coral atoll to Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates. That’s where Husband handed me my boarding pass to our surprise destination.
Drumroll, please …
Sydney, Australia!
I have to say, this was not one of my many guesses. Look on a map, you’ll see why. We’re not exactly talking the direct route home.
Sydney turned out to be spectacular choice. Neither one of had ever been to Australia. We loved the gorgeous city, the water, the warm people, the food. And then there was this.
The surprise within the surprise.
Before we left on this trip, Husband asked me for a list of names and email addresses of any friends I might have living around the world.
That’s how on one of the two nights we had in Sydney we ended up having a delightful dinner with my friends, Bruce and Teresa.
They were my neighbors back when I worked in local TV in Phoenix. It might’ve been more than 20 years since we lived next door to each other, but, as it is with great friends, it was like it was just yesterday that we were hanging out at the condo pool.
Even though Husband had never met Bruce and Teresa, he reached out to them as soon as he knew we were Sydney-bound. He made the dinner date and swore them to secrecy, which if you knew the exuberant Aussie, Bruce, must’ve been its own incredible challenge.
My friend, Tricia, likes to say that one of the greatest gifts is to be known, to be loved, for exactly who you are.
Such as it is with Husband, that he knows my friends are among my greatest treasures, that he knew getting to see old friends would mean more to me than even the most spectacular sights.
He made that dream come true, even when it meant going to the ends of the Earth.
What a souvenir — traveling around the world reminded me of the treasure I have in him.
And in you, too Dear Reader.
You, who encouraged me to relax and enjoy, explaining that planning a surprise like this is how a man shows he loves you.
Thank you.
Turns out, the surprises were the best part of the whole trip, a trip made all made better with your encouragement along for the ride.
