To Surprise OH At The Airport?

[ladybird30]

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?

Gosh, everyone's very cool! I think it would be nice if you think your baby's up to it.

I'd stay at home. It's only been a week and he's returning from a work trip, not a holiday.

This sounds like the plot of a novel - the husband appears through the gates with someone dodgy/another woman, or he isn't on the flight at all and has been somewhere else ...

Go for it, OP and please update us.

I'd be thinking it might be difficult to surprise someone in this way. I really hate the chaos of airports.
If it was me I'm sure I'd end up waiting slightly in the wrong place, or the person would somehow go past me without us making contact.

I'd end up phoning them being like...'hello darling. at the Starbucks by terminal 9 gate 12 arrivals. Been here now for 45 mins'.
(Sod the surprise at this stage!)
They'd respond with 'why? I arrived at gate 3 in terminal 7. And I'm half way home? Plus I wasn't expecting you to meet me?'

Cue everyone bring pissed off.

Just wait at home. Airports are shite and no point going to one unless strictly necessary.

God no don't turn up at the airport if he's with colleagues

Stay home, save yourself the hassle!

@CheeseWisely thats so incredibly sweet, so much nicer than these miserly answers

If he was alone, yes, if not then I wouldn’t. Especially if you think the colleagues are likely to take the piss.

No, I wouldn't - not when he's travelling with colleagues. It's just not very appropriate IMO.

Do itttt! I’d love this. Life is short, show him
you missed him.

Miserly?

Because they have a different opinion!

@samarrange I love that. I used to have to spend all day on the 22nd or 23rd December in our airport arrivals area every year for work. I'd pass the time by playing 'Airport Christmas Bingo' in my head.

• Christmas Jumper
• Christmas Hat
• Christmas Onesie
• Someone with a teddy bear bigger than them
• Welcome home banner
• Someone singing a Christmas Song
• Love Actually style 'run into their arms'

Etc etc.

If it was like 3 months yes but one week?! No way

@herecomesautumn because they care more about it being “cringe” and “ick” than anything else. Miserly that grown adults care more about what strangers think than their own loved ones.

Why on Earth would it be embarrassing just because he's coming back with colleagues? People are weird.

But he hasn’t asked her not to come?

I don’t understand most of the replies on this thread. On what planet is it ‘embarrassing’ for colleagues to witness a surprise? It’s not like they are all 17 and their mum is surprising them.

I wouldn’t do it if there is any chance of the arrangement going wrong or if it would unsettle the baby’s routine (there’s nothing worse than a grouchy baby in a public place) but all mature adults know their colleagues have a home life and anyone who found this ‘inappropriate’ would be a bit of an oddball IMO. I would do it!

@DoIWantTo Not everyone saying no is saying it’s because of what people would think. Personally it would irritate me but I wouldn’t be worrying about what others think.

Message him the night before he's due back with a surprise offer for a lift home from the airport? At least then he'll know to be looking for you!

It’s a nice idea best kept in mind not acted upon.Its twee and cringey if he’s with colleagues

@Discombobulated2024 It’s not my opinion, but some people might be embarrassed because it makes them look like they have to be collected from school ,or they are being checked up upon, or they don’t like showing affection in public etc. Lots of reasons why people might not like it.

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

I’m voting to greet him once home and not at the airport. Has nothing to do with cringe but more to do with me being sick of people and don’t want to fuck around trying to get home.

After a week traveling for work all I want is to get home. My DH knows that if he picks me up he waits in the cell phone parking area until I call then he’ll drive up to get me. No hugs or kisses as I sling my bags into the car and say let’s get out of here! Plenty of time for smoochies when we’re home.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me it just comes across as being a bit inappropriate.

I travel for work and it's exhausting. I wouldn't want an unexpected reunion at the airport with colleagues around. I just want to get home.

@CheeseWisely It would irritate me because I will have already made plans to get home etc and someone’s just decided for me. I love my DH very much but he knows not to surprise me!