Then I saw him.

Earlier tonight, like any other night, deciding what to have for dinner felt like a struggle again. I work from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and by the time I get home, I’m exhausted. All I want to do is eat and lie down. My husband is a chef, but he doesn’t get home until around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. I don’t want to ask him to cook for us. He’s been standing and cooking all day, and the last thing I want is for him to feel like work followed him home. So I decided to try the new grill restaurant just around the corner of our street. I messaged him to let him know I’d step out to buy dinner. He didn’t reply, and I assumed he was driving home. While walking back with our food in my hands, I got distracted looking at our neighbors’ newly renovated houses, admiring the fresh paint and bright lights. I completely forgot that he was supposed to fetch me. Then I saw him. Standing there on the street. And without thinking, I shouted, “Oh, hello!” The way my voice sounded so surprised, and so excited it made our neighbors turn their heads and look at us strangely. 😅 But in that moment, I realized something. Every time I see him come home, I still feel that same excitement. That same relief. Relief that he made it home safely. Relief that after a whole day apart, we’re complete again. Today, we get to eat dinner together. Today, I get to sleep beside him. Today, we are us... just like yesterday. And tomorrow, I know I’ll feel it again. That quiet excitement when I see him walking toward our home. To our daughter. To me. To us.

• simplejoys
• husbandandwife
• marriedlife