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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To Surprise OH At The Airport?

162 replies

ladybird30 · 21/09/2024 15:54

My OH is due back from being away for a week, for work.

It's the first time he's been away for more than a few days since we had our LO and I thought it'd be nice to surprise him at arrivals and pick him up.

I've mentioned this to a couple of people and some have said it'd be embarrassing and a bit cringe, as he's away for work with a few guys he works with and they're all travelling together.

Should I surprise him or just stay home?

OP posts:

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 18:46

Skipsurvey · 21/09/2024 18:42

it would be nice but surely they have plans
unless you are taking them all back

Depends to what extent his work trip is expensed. Mine includes airport parking for those who can / want to leave a car at the airport or a taxi each way for those that don't or can't.

If a taxi home is expensed then presumably one less person wouldn't impact anyone else.

If they pay their own way home then it might obviously.

Chuzzle · 21/09/2024 18:46

I've been married for 15 years, and my DH would love it if I rocked up to the airport to meet him, especially if I brought the children. It's only "cringe" if you're 14. Plus, he gets to sit in a car, fart, fall asleep or not engage in conversation for the whole journey home if he wants to.

FrancisSeaton · 21/09/2024 18:43

Some people have been watching too much love actually

Skipsurvey · 21/09/2024 18:42

it would be nice but surely they have plans
unless you are taking them all back

saltinesandcoffeecups · 21/09/2024 18:39

Picklelily99 · 21/09/2024 18:19

Aw, what's happened to the world, if everyone thinks that's cringey??? Are we all a bunch of cynics now? I'd have thought other wives might be there too, and if not, other husbands might be thinking "why doesn't my wife do that?"

I think because going away for week isn’t exactly a big deal anymore. Hell I’ve been gone a week per mo for the last 9 months. It’s also not a stretch to think that the ‘other wives’ 🙄 might also be working or traveling or the other million things that are still going on when a spouse travels.

GiddyRobin · 21/09/2024 18:25

I've done this. DH loved it; no teasing from colleagues. I liked it when he did it, too. There was no big fuss or anything.

Picklelily99 · 21/09/2024 18:19

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 21/09/2024 18:16

Also think how your lovely gesture will go if he says “ah brilliant, that saves us getting a cab. You’re ok to drop off Dave in xx, and Steve in the totally opposite direction aren’t you?”

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 21/09/2024 18:14

If you’re going to do it as a nice surprise for your DH then wait in the car and text him that you’re there.

That way he gets a heads up and it’s not a centre of attention thing, he can just say to his mates “ah DW has come to give me a lift home”. No embarrassment or cringe but the genuine offer of a lift home.

Of course as a PP said, if the others are banking on sharing a cab home and it now costs them 50% each instead of 33% they might not be best pleased.

If you actually want to make a song and dance about it then ask yourself why. Too many romantic movies? More often than not it goes wrong in the movies!

upifpmpyesmyypfie · 21/09/2024 18:12

I surprised DH a few times by meeting him at the airport. We both really liked it.

tishtishboom · 21/09/2024 18:12

I did this and my partner dumped me on the spot.

Getonwitit · 21/09/2024 18:10

He has only been away a week, don't do it.

HerbalBovril · 21/09/2024 18:05

I don’t understand how this would be “cringey”…sounds like a loving and thoughtful thing to do. It’s lovely to be in love, and lovely to express it. If you have both capacity and inclination, go for it. I know my Beloved would be enchanted and delighted to see me and our little ferals upon landing. In fact, he’d no doubt tear up 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🙈 if his colleagues are uncomfortable, that’s their problem. X

goestheweasel · 21/09/2024 18:03

Feels a bit much for a week, I don't even go to the airport to meet DH when he's been away for 4 months 😂

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 18:01

Sidebeforeself · 21/09/2024 17:46

@CheeseWisely Why the snarky comments? Can’t you just accept some people just wouldn’t like this?

Well since the OP would be meeting her other half, not 'some people' then that's by the by. As long as she thinks he'd like it then nobody else matters.

I just find it a bit sad that being excited to see a loved one after 'only' a week and doing something ostensibly nice in picking them up so they have an easy journey home is decreed as cringe or inappropriate or a hassle.

People take life too seriously. It must be hard work.

movingonok · 21/09/2024 18:01

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 16:40

I'm always scanning the faces waiting for people hoping there's someone for me. Never is tho

@Doggymummar I happened to mention to my DH when we were dating that nobody ever picks me up from the airport (we live offshore and I travel for work so I fly a lot). I've never arrived home without him being there to meet me since ☺️

I love that ❤️

kitsuneghost · 21/09/2024 17:59

If he is with other people definitely no.
Otherwise I wouldn't even. Such a hassle. Flight can be early and you miss him, late and you are a fortune in parking.
We only pick each other up at 15min free mid term and at that we call when we are walking down so the other isn't sitting around.

crowandpigeon · 21/09/2024 17:55

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 17:53

@crowandpigeon Yes, but I was replying to a comment that referenced 'all' airports as being expensive. They're not 'all' expensive, and therefore picking people up from the small local ones that aren't isn't necessarily a big deal.

Ok fair enough. The airport I usually go to is a bit of a hassle even to get in and out of. Smaller ones are usually not too bad, you can just park outside!

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 21/09/2024 17:55

Fuckingpissedoff1234 · 21/09/2024 16:00

I think it would be a lovely surprise.

Me too. I Asked my dp and he also thinks it would be a nice surprise

Treesinmygarden · 21/09/2024 17:54

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 17:43

It's £1 to park outside the door of ours for an hour. 30 minutes free in the main car park 100 yards away.

Perhaps that's why I don't think picking someone up is the enormous song & dance / imposition that some on this thread do 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

The nearest airport to me, you pay £1 just for the privilege of dropping someone off, for 10 minutes max.

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 17:53

Treesinmygarden · 21/09/2024 17:52

ladybird30 · 21/09/2024 16:18

Sounds like I should stick to a nice roast dinner ready for him at home 😂

I think he'd like it but I know his colleagues, 2/3 who are actually his best mates, would tease him, which is why I was a bit hesitant

Well bearing this in mind, I think you have your answer.

Cynic17 · 21/09/2024 17:50

No. Not only because it's cringy, but also the logistics mean that he could probably rush straight through, into a cab, and miss you altogether.

crowandpigeon · 21/09/2024 17:49