Adren's HOME

The Geertsen family of 5 heading out to pick up #6!!!

For the past two years when I would think of this day, I would start crying. I woke with so much anticipation, hard to believe the day has arrived! Adren is coming home today!!!

I had a couple of dreams leading up to this. I would be puttering around the house, and Adren would casually enter the room. I would know he was home, but then would try to remember the airport homecoming and realize we'd missed it because of some weird reason and I would feel robbed of this experience. 

Eli drove his car with the kids, because we no longer have a car that fits all of us. Boy oh boy, once we sent this first off into the world, our family as we knew it is forever different in so many little ways!

We arrived in plenty of time (something I of course was worried about. What if there was a big accident, the road is closed and we miss him altogether??? Ahhhhh!!!) and gathered around the main area. I wanted to watch for Paul and Sharon, who arrived soon after we did.

I really can't even believe we are here!

More and more family and friends arrived, which was so sweet of people to brave the crazy SLC airport for our family. Even one of Adren's companions showed up with his mom. Abby tipped us off to the waiting area where we could be out of the way but still see the new arrivals as they came through. The kids had made posters and watched through the glass. I started hearing, "He's coming! He's coming!" Eeeeeeeee!!! 

It was total excitement as he walked through the doors, everyone yelling to their missionary. It took Adren a couple of seconds to see our group and made his way over. It was so wonderful to see him in person and get that first hug! I couldn't let go! My boy!

What a reunion! It was all I imagined for two years. Adren really felt like a grown man in front of me, I couldn't believe it! I know he felt all of the love and support that was there!
After everything, we headed out to the cars. Carter asked if Adren would want to hop in with him to catch up on the ride home. Inside I was like WHAAAAAAH??? But I really just wanted Adren to be able to be stress-free and do whatever he wanted. We followed right behind as we entered our parking tickets. Once through, Carter pulled over and Adren hopped out and jumped in our car. "What was I thinking???" He said, "I want to drive home with you guys, I have all the time to catch up with friends!" Ha-ha! It was so fun to just chat away the whole drive home. 
We popped in to Mommy and Daddy's so Adren could see them. It was a tender reunion!

 

As everyone was chatting, I noticed Adrens shoes. We bought these all shiny and new two years ago!

Landrie happened to be next door at Romneys so the cousins got to see each other!

It was fun to pull up in front of our house and show Adren how much things had changed. Our contractor, Trent, just happened to be over, so it was fun for him to meet the boy we had the timeline for!

It was also fun to show Adren his new room! He chuckled that it looked awfully feminine, but you know what? Momma decorated. He was happy to see the wall of his guitars hanging up for him. 

This is the Adren we all know and love... strumming away.

Pedro! 

Pedro popped over to see our boy. They got so caught up in catching up, it was time to go get Adren released. We invited Pedro to join us, and it was special to have him there to hear the report! 

With all of the excitement of the big day, we now must make the finishing touches and shopping for the big homecoming in two days! 

We haven't been able to figure out our sprinklers since they have all been ripped up in the backyard. For this reason, I am glad the homecoming is early June before the yard gets too thirsty.

I ordered a bunch of sandwiches and made salads, grabbed chips and brownies etc. Then went out again and panic-bought even more. Farewells and Homecomings are completely impossible to shop for. I feel like you are planning for a group of anywhere from 100-500. Turns out I could have bought double (again). Oh well. 

Adren's homecoming talk was so amazing. I hung on every word. I loved his stories, I love his recounts of his experiences. He did fantastic! It was so special to have family and good friends there. Afterwards, we had a full house. It was nice to have the addition and especially the back patio for people to spread out a bit. I hung a New York flag and the posters the kids made on the back fence. I loved looking out at Adren chatting with cousins and so many mission friends. A couple that served with him also came, the Lemons. It was lovely to meet them. Sister Lemon sent me so many sweet messages and pictures while Adren was serving. I grew to love her so much. It is so sweet for me to see so many meet and love Adren so! 

After everyone left, and we got everything cleaned up, chairs and tables stacked away, Jon and I felt so exhausted. More mentally than anything. What a weekend! The kids were still chatting with lingering friends, and Jon asked if I wanted to slip away for a drive. Yes! We realized we were starving, we hadn't really eaten all day, and all the food was gobbled up. We went through a drive-through and sat and recounted how amazing everything felt. We chuckled at us- never thought we'd be doing that the evening of our boys homecoming. Ha! When we got back home we weren't even missed. 

It is so neat to have the whole family back together, to have family prayer together, and to say good-night to Adren in his new room. He seems to be adjusting well, he gets up early and goes for a run. He didn't do that before his mission! 

As a mom, these are the times that are extra special. It feels like a little bit of pay for the worry and work involved in mothering. I so loved supporting and loving him for the past two years. It is a time I will cherish in my heart forever.