22 May 2008

Arrival

When we finally unlocked the door to our house mid-evening local time on Tuesday, we did so to balloons and "welcome home" signs made by the daughter of one of my closest friends.

The fridge had been stocked with milk, bread and butter, as well as cheese, strawberries, grapes and other luxuries. There were flower baskets by the front door, and inside a huge bouquet decorated the kitchen island.

A big box of Twinings Earl Grey tea had also been purchased, in anticipation of the many afternoons to come, sitting around the kitchen table with a cup of tea, while the kids play downstairs.

Another friend had left a tray full of home-baked delicious cookies. Needless to say, they didn't last long.

Everything looked amazing. I was so touched.

Then yesterday noon-time, a third friend stopped by to pick me up for lunch. 7 of us chatted for 3 hours over the most amazing dim sum I've ever had. Some of the girls had even rearranged their work schedule to be able to join us.

How can you possibly express your gratitude for something like that?

The girls all looked wonderful. Better than wonderful, in fact. And it was easy to slip right back into the conversation - almost like I hadn't been gone at all.

Except that the dim sum tasted so incredibly good. Oh.My.Goodness. I'd forgotten how much I missed it.

My re-introduction to food groups other than meat and potatoes continues today, as a sushi lunch has been scheduled for noon. Then tomorrow, we hit Asian Legend.

Being of stoic Viking stock, I could never adequately verbalize how much my friends mean to me, but I am immensely grateful to have them.

And though I'm filled with conflicting feelings about being so far away from Norway, one thing is crystal clear: The best friends in the world - they are all right here!

48 comments:

Gina said...

Welcome home Heidi!

painted maypole said...

what a great welcome! helps with that hard transition home, I'm sure.

Annie said...

What a perfect way to return home! You have indeed hit the friend jackpot. Enjoy your lunch and the reunion with your buddies!

Laura said...

How wonderfully sweet.

Welcome back!

My gift to you is a little award...when you have a sec, please check out the Fringe!

Girlplustwo said...

simply the best. being welcomed like that makes everything feel exactly as it should be. i love it.

LoriD said...

What terrific friends you have. You're a lucky gal!

hokgardner said...

What a wonderful welcome home for you and your family!

Kyla said...

What a wonderful thing to come home to!

Chantal said...

WOW that is so wonderful. I am so happy that you have such wonderful friends. It really does make a huge difference.

dkuroiwa said...

What a wonderful welcome!! (yes, I will say that one.more.time!)
I'm wondering how many of your friends were reading this blog? Some of my friends have said that it doesn't really seem like I'm gone since they can "read" me so often...they forget that we haven't actually 'talked' in ages!! :-D
Here's an idea...next time some really great friends take you out to lunch AND hire someone to unpack all your bags!! I'm just saying....
:-D

Misty said...

How lucky are you. I am so incredibly jealous. What a wonderful homecoming! You are so so blessed to have such a support system.

I am glad that you are glad you are back.

Amy Y said...

Oh, Heidi. How wonderful!! Everyone should have a homecoming like that... You must be as fantastic in person as you are online to have earned such friends.

Do they not like Asian food in Norway?

Mmmmmmmmm.... sushi :) It's been about 10 days since my last sushi lunch. I'd say it's about that time.

Karen MEG said...

I expected nothing less from the gals, Heidi.

Glad that you are being inundated with an Asian fix ... I know how much you were missing the cuisine over there. There certainly are benefits to living up here, that's for sure ;)

See ya later this aft!

Oh yeah, and welcome home ... but you'll get your hug in person, lucky me!

MadMad said...

Oh, that is awesome! What a wonderful welcome home!

Melissa said...

wow sweet of your friends. So nice of them to stock your fridge and prepair the house for some kind of inhabitance :)

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Sounds like you have amazing and thoughtful friends. I am so happy that your homecoming has been so terrific.
Have a wonderful time catching up.
Kristen

dawn klinge said...

Ahhh...such sweet friends! Welcome back!

Kellan said...

Your homecoming sounds wonderful - I'm glad you have these great friends to welcome you home!! Take care - Kellan

Anonymous said...

What a lovely series of surprises!

Unknown said...

Besides your run in with the remote, I would say your re-entry was pretty darn great. Welcome home!!

Aliki2006 said...

What a wonderful homecoming! How great to come home to such warmth, the ease the transition.

Welcome home.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

That is seriously sweet. What a fantastic homecoming! SO, how was the first night back in your bed?

Rebecca said...

This is *exactly* how I dream that my homecoming will be. So glad you're off to such a great start!

Mrs. G. said...

Welcome back to home sweet home! Glad you all made it in one piece.

Amy said...

Good friends are invaluable! Welcome home!

kim-d said...

Heidi, I've almost been kind of scared to stop by because...okay, now when this sounds weird, just consider the source...I've only "known' you in Norway. I've never "known" you in your real life but, now, I have to say you have wonderful, wonderful friends and I am so looking forward to knowing more. And you've gotta tell me more about dim sum and sushi, okay? I'm sure I'd love dim sum if I could just get a firm grasp on what it is--HAHA!--and I'm trying to get up the courage to try sushi. You've gotta do a dim sum/sushi 101 post sometime AFTER all of your many admirers and friends stop taking you out to eat :)! I am so happy for you, Heidi, and I'm so happy for me that apparently you WILL continue to blog. I was really worried...

BIG WELCOME HOME HUG :)!!!

Lisa said...

How could you not be having mixed feelings? That is totally natural, I would think!

It sounds like you have a wonderful group of friends, who missed you very much! I'm so happy you had wonderful surprises waiting for you.

Jennifer said...

What a wonderful welcome! It sounds like you're HOME.

CC said...

So awesome!!!!!!! You do have the best friends!!

Welcome home!!!

Cindy D. said...

WOW - you're home! I've been away from Blog-Land for a while and you left for home. Thank you so muc for sharing your adventures and experiences.

Candy said...

Despite missing Norway, it must be marvelous to be home and sleeping in your own beds. Hope the boys are transitioning as well.

carrie said...

What a wonderful homecoming Heidi!

Good Asian food and good girlfriends cure all kinds of things, don't you know? :)

kimmy said...

So glad to hear that you made it home safely and that your home-coming was well worth it.

Sounds like you have an amazing group of friends that missed you terribly!

Have a good weekend Heidi!

Kimmy

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

It sounds as though you were MISSED. What a wonderful homecoming.

Stomper Girl said...

That is a great welcome home! You must be a good friend to have such good friends! I love sushi too, yum!

Shan said...

What a lovely thing to come home too.

kim-d said...

Just wanted to stop by and let you know I'm thinking about you and the B & C Boys. Cannot even imagine how busy you are with "re-entry into real life" chores and good times with friends. But, being that I'm basically selfish and I miss you, hurry back and tell me about dim sum and sushi.

BWAHAHAHAHA! Have a great weekend, Heidi...

Karen Jensen said...

Welcome home, Heidi!

Manager Mom said...

Wow, that's really nice!

Kat said...

What absolutely amazing friends you have. You are so lucky! But I'm sure you already know that. :)
Welcome home!

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

Sounds lovely!

katydidnot said...

do you think my friends would believe me if i called them all tomorrow and told them we were returning from our one year overseas trip day after tomorrow and that the key to our house is under the mat should they desire to leave cookies? they might believe it, some of them i haven't called in a while.

Ice Cream said...

I'm saving this post as a How To Guide on being a good friend. What a great way to be welcomed home.

Victoria said...

Awww - what a wonderfully sweet homecoming!

Welcome home!!

Nadine said...

Welcome home Heidi! Your friends sound wonderful! I can't imagine how touched you were. Awesome!

Steph said...

What a great bunch of friends you have! And what a wonderful welcome home for you all :)

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

Earl Gray is a favorite of mine too, but in the summertime I love Stash loose leaf black Peach tea over ice. Welcome back!

the dragonfly said...

What a marvelous welcome home!!