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?

Have you seen the price of airport parking? I’d be really cross at the waste of money.

Would you honestly be really crossed though? Because that would be seriously worrying.

Try reading what I actually said.

Are you victim blaming/ shaming? They made the bitchy comment (now apparently unintentionally), I call her up on it and you accuse me. The absolute cheek. #gaslighting

I would LOVE this, personally. I was weaned on 90’s romcoms, so anything romantic in an airport would have me all aflutter. 🤣

In the nicest possible way OP, you should know the answer to this far better than any stranger on here who's never met the man. He's your husband who you presumably know very well indeed, you should know if he'd like this or not. And the fact that you're doubting probably means deep down, no matter how much you'd like it, that he maybe wouldn't. I think this is a classic case of when in doubt, do nowt.

I agree with this!!

It seems a bit OTT for being away with his mates for a few days!

I would offer to pick him up from the airport but I definitely wouldn’t be there surprising him like you’ve not seen him for months/years.

That would be unnecessary overkill for my DH. He'd think I'd lost my mind as it would totally be out of character for me and wouldn't find it sweet at all.
Depends on the type of guy your DH is & your general character.

i think most people would be incredibly embarrassed if they arrived back from a business trip with several colleagues to find their partner waiting for them at arrivals, especially with a baby in tow.

I planned on doing this when my partner was coming home from a “work” trip he knew and convinced me in no uncertain terms I wasn’t to (our baby was four months old. I didn’t go but turned out it wasn’t a work trip at all and he’d gone away with a woman 🙄😫😳

When I used to go to a lot of conferences with my employer we were encouraged to consider ourselves to be working from arrival at the airport until we left the airport again (and yes we were paid for the time) so while partners/husbands/wives did often come to collect they generally waited outside rather than do the big surprise at arrivals with kids thing.
It would not have been seen as appropriate, but other companies might not be the same.

This.

Honestly, what is with these replies. Can’t imagine being with someone who found his partner and children ‘cringe’. That would be the definition of an arsehole in my book and my DH would be thrilled to see us.

I'd be there meeting him with an embarrassing sign.
If his friends are going to tease him make it good.

I actually did this!!!

Judging by the comments DHs penis should have fallen off at the sight of me 😂

Now questioning my decision 10 plus years later…So asked DH and he said he didn’t find it cringe but was genuinely surprised! We were both quite young and in more professional roles now so not sure if I would do it again 😆

Absolutely this! I realise it’s subjective but no, I wouldn’t like you to meet me under these circs OP (especially if I have friends who would take the piss - annoying although I wouldn’t give a shit.)

what I would LOVE is to arrive home to a relaxed partner with a gorgeous roast on the go and a big kiss. Go for that!!!

I think this message was from someone who doesn’t travel for work! I do regularly and have never once seen a partner waiting! Generally the ‘other wives’ and indeed husbands have their own lives/jobs to be getting on with or have been holding the fort while partner is away. I also agree you don’t switch off til your home - which is why I think you sound lovely and your thought is lovely OP but would be better directed to preparing a nice welcome at home.

hope you enjoying having him back and have a nice evening 😊

As a frequent work traveller picking someone up from the airport might not be the best idea. There's always the chance of missing them due to delays or getting stuck in traffic. Plus, the whole taxi share with colleagues can easily turn into an expenses drama that no one wants to deal with. Instead, why not stay home, relax, and welcome them with a big smile and a proper cuppa when they arrive? It’ll be a much better and less stressful welcome home

No don't do it. He's only been away a week!
Prepare a nice surprise for him at home.

I've done it ... We got stuck getting there. His flight was delayed. However the joy on his face made it worth it and my LO was so excited.

My DH would love this ....and so would I.

In fact, I'm currently travelling home from a work trip and I've just got a message to say that my DH has arranged a late start so he can pick me up from the airport tomorrow morning.
Having just got off an 8 hour flight with another 7 hour flight to go I was delighted to see a message saying he would be there at the airport.

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

Are they 12? 🙄

The nicest welcome home you can do for someone is actually at home, not the airport. If I land at a decent time I'll always walk through the front door to a hug and a home-cooked meal from DP and it's just lovely, perfect. That's when you can relax! If he trekked out to the airport to meet me I wouldn't feel any particular way apart from vaguely bemused as to why he bothered. Great, we get to both cram on to the Gatwick Express now?

I also hugely dislike being surprised in a public place so there's that. And I move very efficiently through an airport so would almost certainly speed past him without noticing.

Are you suspicious?

My SIL, who is a bit loud at the best of times, did this, she took the children, a load of balloons and party poppers. I can assure you that the noise of the party poppers going off in an airport does not sit well with security!

When our son was 4 my dh was away on business our son threw up at school, we found he had eaten something he was intolerant too so not a bug and was bouncing off the wall but school said he had to be off school for the rest of the week. The first day he was so bored just the two of us stuck at home. Dh was due home the next day early afternoon so I offered if he would like us to pick him up next day. Ds can watch the planes and dh was really excited about the idea. He landed with another female colleague who he knew well and been on nights out together with clients, she had even bought our son small presents while away occasionally. However she took the right hump when she saw us (no gushy 90’s movie hello from us so wasn’t that) she blanked our son when he said hello then walked off so she obviously didn’t take it well, assume my dh hadn’t warned her. To be fair after this it soon became apparent was an incredibly moody person and would regularly throw a strop over a lot less. Put me off doing it again though even if I did ask first!