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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:
GingerPirate · 21/09/2024 17:43

I wouldn't do any surprises.

magicstar1 · 21/09/2024 17:43

If you want to, then do it.
DH was on a stag do and I was joking about picking him up with flowers and chocolates. Well, I did just that. I was standing at arrivals with them when they came through. We all had a laugh, but I heard from a few of the other wives that their husbands said it was lovely and why did they never do that lol.

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 17:43

Blueblell · 21/09/2024 17:40

Plus it costs a bloody fortune to park at any airport these days - even for an hour

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 🤷🏻‍♀️

sunsetsandboardwalks · 21/09/2024 17:42

FrostFlowers2025 · 21/09/2024 17:34

Why not send him a message the day before he gets on the plane and ask him if he would like you to pick him up? You can still do the roast dinner, but this way you'll know if he'd like a ride.

Although I would be a bit 🙄at a man who is worried his coworkers will judge him for being welcomed by his family.

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For me it's not about being judged, it's just the fact that a surprise "meeting" automatically puts you in the spotlight and at the centre of attention, and to me, that's the stuff of absolute nightmares Grin

crowandpigeon · 21/09/2024 17:42

I also find the surprise pick up infantalising and a bit egotistical.

I agree. The person doing this would do it purely for their own sake, for feeling good about themselves being such a good wife who missed her dh so much after a week (guessing 5 days) work trip that she just had to turn up and greet him. For his work colleagues to see.

It’s a short work trip, you just want to get out of the airport quickly, go home and have a shower and then talk to your family.

Blueblell · 21/09/2024 17:40

Plus it costs a bloody fortune to park at any airport these days - even for an hour

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 21/09/2024 17:37

FrostFlowers2025 · 21/09/2024 17:34

Why not send him a message the day before he gets on the plane and ask him if he would like you to pick him up? You can still do the roast dinner, but this way you'll know if he'd like a ride.

Although I would be a bit 🙄at a man who is worried his coworkers will judge him for being welcomed by his family.

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I’m a woman who travels for work. It’s not that I feel my coworkers would judge me, it’s just that I like to keep work and personal life separate. Having my kids at the airport after a long work week and my colleagues there would feel weird. I get a bit emotional when I see them and I like that to be private. Would you still be 🙄

DoloresHargreeves · 21/09/2024 17:35

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 16:58

Why on earth would someone you love coming to pick you up from a trip away irritate you?

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It would irritate me because I like arranging my plans myself and knowing what's coming up on my journey. I hate surprises. And I also hate being the centre of attention, which having a surprise greeting makes you automatically. I also find the surprise pick up infantalising and a bit egotistical. It's infantalising because I don't need to have my plans home be some big deal, and something I can't arrange myself. And it's egotistical because it's making out like seeing my spouse at the airport is some big massive amazing surprise for me, which I mean, why?

I also don't want to have to greet my spouse in front of all my colleagues, either, because I want to keep my home life and work life well apart.

Having said that OP, you know him best! It wouldn't be for me, but he might be into it.

FrostFlowers2025 · 21/09/2024 17:34

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

Why not send him a message the day before he gets on the plane and ask him if he would like you to pick him up? You can still do the roast dinner, but this way you'll know if he'd like a ride.

Although I would be a bit 🙄at a man who is worried his coworkers will judge him for being welcomed by his family.

Substitutiarylocomotion · 21/09/2024 17:34

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 21/09/2024 17:33

Happened to me with my boyfriend when I was 19… except I had gone to wave him off! He was travelling with his other woman who I knew nothing about. He saw me from a distance, went super pale and ran over to ask me not to tell her and ruin their trip 😂 so maybe I am scarred for life about airport meets..

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He asked you not to say anything?! Bloody cheeky!!!!

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 21/09/2024 17:33

Doggymummar · 21/09/2024 16:20

I did this I once and he was with another woman! I hid and went round his later and confronted them. But I'm sure yours would be a lovely welcome home. I'm always scanning the faces waiting for people hoping there's someone for me. Never is tho.

Happened to me with my boyfriend when I was 19… except I had gone to wave him off! He was travelling with his other woman who I knew nothing about. He saw me from a distance, went super pale and ran over to ask me not to tell her and ruin their trip 😂 so maybe I am scarred for life about airport meets..

Substitutiarylocomotion · 21/09/2024 17:33

Personally if he's traveling with colleagues I wouldn't do it, if he's traveling alone I would.

I used to think I'd love someone to collect me at the airport but now I'm usually looking forward to sleeping/listening to a podcast on the bus. Definitely becoming a grouch in my middle years!!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/09/2024 17:31

My dh went away a lot for work - I can’t imagine that he’d have objected. I usually picked him up anyway, though - my car practically went on autopilot to Heathrow.

redtrain123 · 21/09/2024 17:29

Aquacitra · 21/09/2024 16:01

This would be nice if he was travelling alone, but not with colleagues. Maybe prepare a nice surprise at home instead?

This

Original poster
ladybird30 · 21/09/2024 17:26

@Findmebythesea1 You win favourite reply. We'd probably be friends in real life, you're my kinda vibe!

OP posts:
ManchesterLu · 21/09/2024 17:26

I wouldn't do it as a surprise. Ask him if he'd like a lift. If not, wait for him at home with a nice meal.

Original poster
ladybird30 · 21/09/2024 17:25

@Nightowl1234 A vagina slamming shut? 😂 a penis falling off? I had no idea a vagina slamming shut was a thing. This cracked me up

OP posts:
Peaceandquietandacuppa · 21/09/2024 17:24

LoobyDoop2 · 21/09/2024 16:05

I think your chances of it going wrong- by him being delayed, or you just missing each other, or he’s planned to share a taxi with a colleague who’s then pissed off- are too high for it to be worth the trouble. Do something nice at home as others have suggested.

Yes this. I just got back from a work trip. Plane was delayed both times which would have been horrible for my DH if he’d been waiting with the kids. Plus I collected my luggage with my colleagues and ended up walking out into arrivals chatting to them, would have felt a bit personal having a welcoming party in front of them 😅

crowandpigeon · 21/09/2024 17:22

Nightowl1234 · 21/09/2024 16:30

Really cringey and embarrassing, sorry. I’m imagining you at arrivals with a little eager beaver face, and all excited like a teenager. Personally it would give me the ick - what’s the male equivalent of a vagina slamming shut?

Edited

Same here. After being away for a week, for work..just no.

Busybeed · 21/09/2024 17:21

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 16:06

My Husband would be absolutely chuffed to bits to be met in those circumstances, because he cares more about us than what his colleagues think, and anyway his colleagues are grown Men with their own families, not teenage boys trying to be cool.

Assuming you're not planning on making a massive sign or taking balloons, and that he hasn't asked you not to, then I would go.

Well said!

lololulu · 21/09/2024 17:17

I think this is all for you not him. If you want to pick him up wait in the car. It's a week.

Anonym00se · 21/09/2024 17:15

Can’t you ask him “Do you want me to pick you up from the airport?” I always pick my DH or DCs up, and they always appreciate not having to struggle on that final leg of the journey. I just wait in the car though, not in the terminal with balloons and party poppers.

Moonshine5 · 21/09/2024 17:14

Drip drip drip

Moonshine5 · 21/09/2024 17:14

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 17:08

@Moonshine5 And if that's how the poster you're speaking for took it then I apologise to them.

What I meant was that I know how that feels because for 15 years of travelling every couple of months nobody ever met me at the airport, but now it's changed. Things can change.

Lol everyone loves an "if" apology.

Quick thinking on your feet tho

pictoosh · 21/09/2024 17:13

Not if he's with colleagues no.

Do a little welcome home banner and party tea at the house to celebrate his return. A reunion he can enjoy without colleagues as an audience.

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