Straining to find my brother among the people deplaning through the way of the jet, I saw a guy coming towards me with two light bags. He then stopped just next to me and greets his family.
First he moved to the youngest son of around seven years old while he laid his bags down. He then gave the son a very long, passionate hug. As they separated and look at one another, his father said, “I missed you very much, it is so great to see you again!” The son smiled a bit shyly, and turned away his eyes and said, “Me too, Dad!”
Then he stood up, and looked into the eyes of the oldest son, possibly ten or eleven, and as he cupped the face of his son in his hands, he said, “I love you so much William, you are quite the young man!” They as well hugged a most passionate hug.
After some time, he handed the little girl to the oldest son and proceeded to his wife. He gave her the longest and most loving kiss I have ever seen. He looked to her eyes for a few seconds and then silently said, “I love you very much.” They stared at one another, beaming great smiles at each other as they hold hands.
They reminded me of the newlyweds, but considering the age of the kids they could not possibly be. I was perplexed about it and realized how absorbed I was in that fantastic display of unconditional love which was happening at an arm’s length away from me. Suddenly I felt very uncomfortable and thought am invading something sacred, however, I was stunned to hear my voice anxiously asking, “Wow! How long is your marriage?”
“We have been together fifteen years in total, married thirteen of those.” The man replied, without taking his eyes off his beautiful wife. “Well, you have been away for how long?” I asked. He then turned to see me, beaming his cheerful smile and said, “Two whole days!”
Two days? I was shocked. I assumed he had been away for several months due to the intensity of their greetings. My expression betrayed me that was what I knew.
I said almost discourteously, hoping to put an end to my intrusion and get back to looking for my brother “I hope mine will be that passionate after thirteen years!”
He suddenly stopped smiling and looked straight into my eyes. With forcefulness that stroke right into my heart, he said something which left me a very different person. “Do not hope, decide!” then he smiled, shook my hand then said “Nice to meet you.”