The Best Christmas Gift Ever

 Christmas came a little early to our house this year. On the 19th of December we piled into the car and headed to the SLC airport to pick up our Hermana Croft. We had spent 18 months counting down months, then weeks, then days, then hours. Often a week would feel like a day, and then other times a day would feel like a week. Some months would speed by, others would drag. We were always so grateful for the opportunity to serve, the experiences she was having, and always the emails home each week sharing it all with us. Interestingly when all is said and done Julianne spent more of her mission in New York than New Jersey. She loved seeing the NYC skyline across the Hudson, enjoyed doing servie at Ellis Island and with the Salvation Army, survived more nor'easters than I can count, and even got offered a recording contract from a Christmas music producer who heard her singing on the street one day. But of course the true highlight of her mission has definitely been the people she has come to know and love. I have no doubt it was hard saying goodbye, but we are already started planning a trip back this summer to visit.

We gathered at the airport with immediate family and grandparents. We greeted parents of the other NJMM sister missionaries all traveling home together. Julianne's best friend Elle came to video document the whole thing. And then we waited. And waited. We got there early just to make sure there were no snags in traffic, parking or early flight arrival. We knew her flight had landed and knew it would take some time to get off the airplane and through the concourse. But still we waited wondering where they were, why it was taking so long. Apparently after the long flight, and knowing their families were waiting below, had stopped at the bathroom to freshen up a bit. But FINALLY we saw Julianne at the top of the stairs. She opted to run down the steps rather than take the slower escalator, and while all the families were whooping and hollering, I slipped under the barrier for my first hug in 18 months. Tears and laughter mixed together...oh it was glorious! That Julianne shaped hole in my heart was filled once again.