While waiting to pick up a friend at the
airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of
those life-changing experiences that you
hear other people talk about — the kind
that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This
one occurred a mere two feet away from
me.


Straining to locate my friend among the
passengers deplaning through the jet
way, I noticed a man coming toward me
carrying two light bags. He stopped right
next to me to greet his family.


First he motioned to his youngest son
(maybe six years old) as he laid down his
bags. They gave each other a long, loving
hug. As they separated enough to look in
each other’s face, I heard the father say,
“It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you
so much!” His son smiled somewhat
shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly,
“Me, too, Dad!”


Then the man stood up, gazed in the
eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten)
and while cupping his son’s face in his
hands said, “You’re already quite the
young man. I love you very much, Zach!”
They too hugged a most loving, tender
hug.


While this was happening, a baby girl
(perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was
squirming excitedly in her mother’s
arms, never once taking her little eyes
off the wonderful sight of her returning
father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as
he gently took the child from her mother.
He quickly kissed her face all over and
then held her close to his chest while
rocking her from side to side. The little
girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her
head on his shoulder, motionless in pure
contentment.


After several moments, he handed his
daughter to his oldest son and declared,
“I’ve saved the best for last!” and
proceeded to give his wife the longest,
most passionate kiss I ever remember
seeing. He gazed into her eyes for
several seconds and then silently
mouthed. “I love you so much!” They
stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big
smiles at one another, while holding both
hands.


For an instant they reminded me of
newlyweds, but I knew by the age of
their kids that they couldn’t possibly be.
I puzzled about it for a moment then
realized how totally engrossed I was in
the wonderful display of unconditional
love not more than an arm’s length
away from me. I suddenly felt
uncomfortable, as if I was invading
something sacred, but was amazed to
hear my own voice nervously ask,
“Wow! How long have you two been
married?


“Been together fourteen years total,
married twelve of those.” he replied,
without breaking his gaze from his lovely
wife’s face. “Well then, how long have
you been away?” I asked. The man
finally turned and looked at me, still
beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole
days!”


Two days? I was stunned. By the
intensity of the greeting, I had assumed
he’d been gone for at least several weeks
– if not months. I know my expression
betrayed me.


I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end
my intrusion with some semblance of
grace (and to get back to searching for
my friend), “I hope my marriage is still
that passionate after twelve years!”
The man suddenly stopped smiling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and
with forcefulness that burned right into
my soul, he told me something that left
me a different person. He told me, “Don’t
hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed
me his wonderful smile again, shook my
hand and said, “God bless!”


- By Michael D. Hargrove and Bottom Line
Underwriters, Inc.
Copyright 1997