Have you ever seen that show “Coming Home?”  You know, that show that orchestrates surprise reunions with service members and their families.  It’s impossible to watch without going through an entire box of Kleenex because the reunions are so romantic, so emotional, so filled with pure happiness, so perfect.  But as touching as it is to watch these surprise homecomings, I would never in a million years want to be a part of this reality show.  Why?  Because I can’t stand surprises.

That’s right, I don’t like surprises.  Even the happy, exciting, celebratory surprises.  I don’t like surprise parties, surprise changes of plans, or surprise visits.  And as crazy as it sounds, I don’t like it when my husband surprises me by coming home early.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that he came home early from his latest trip, and we were able to spend the weekend together when I was expecting one more long lonely weekend without him.  But I’m not thrilled by what my house looked like when he arrived at his own home while I was at work.  I don’t like that I couldn’t remember the last time I gave the floors a good mopping or that I didn’t sweep off the driveway or that I didn’t make Big C clear his junk off the coffee table (which included the athletic cup he wore in baseball practice the night before).  I’m not the world’s greatest housekeeper, but I always make an effort to make our house look as perfect as it can possibly look before a homecoming.  I was embarrassed for myself and disappointed for him.  After a month away, Mr. Roller Coaster certainly deserves to walk into a house that, at the very least, doesn’t have athletic cups sitting on the coffee table.

I know that when Mr. Roller Coaster is on his way home from trips he’s thinking about seeing his family, not a spotless house.  He isn’t questioning my ability to maintain life on the homefront because I didn’t mow the lawn or put away the laundry.  I don’t think he really cares.  Our house is home to him, regardless of whether that home needs to be vacuumed.  I just want his homecomings to be perfect, as perfect as the ones on “Coming Home.”

Even though this most recent homecoming wasn’t perfect (I mean, for goodness sakes, I wasn’t even home to greet him!), it was a homecoming nonetheless.  He’s back, and that’s all that matters.  And as far as surprises, I still prefer to leave that to reality tv. 
  
Do you like surprises or do you like to be prepared?  What would you think about being on the show “Coming Home?” 



26 Comments on Surprise, I’m Home!

  1. I like to think I like surprises … you know to be fun & spontaneous LOL but I'm a little itty bit of a control freak * * never seen the show * sounds like a tear jerker!

  2. I wouldn't do it because he would undoubtedly surprise me post-gym or stomach flu or some other horrible situation in which I would look atrocious and there would probably be an awkward pause from the camera men as they tried to act polite about Spouse's ugly wife. Then they would air it on national television and one day I'd be on reruns. NO WAY!!!

  3. i, like you, hate surprises. i hate them full stop. whther it be a surprise birthday party or surprise anything.
    im not a control freak or anything of the sort, i just hate them.
    unfortunately we dont get that show over here, but no doubt id cry!!

    have a wonderful day 🙂 x

  4. I LOVE surprises, but I usually end up figuring them out before they happen haha. I would never want to be on that show.. I just can't see myself wanting to share such an intimate moment with the entire world.

  5. I love surprises, but I am the same way about guests. I like to know when people are coming so the house isn't a total disaster!

  6. I'm totally with you on this one. I would be embarrassed if my hubby were to come home and see the house as it is now. And I would totally would want to make sure I shaved my legs before he arrives…maybe brushed my teeth and had taken a shower too 😉

    I am not one for surprises like that!

  7. I'm with you I don't like surprise homecomings. I don't want him to come home to a pile of laundry on the couch or dishes in the sink. Or me in flannel, etc. I want to have the house and myself in good condition.

    J was going to do a surprise homecoming for me but decided to tell me instead. I'm so glad he did.

  8. I like some surprises. I don't think I'd like to be on the show Coming Home, mostly because I think I'd be a slobbering mess and there's no need for the world to see that.

  9. I don't like surprises and when my husband was deployed I don't think I even shaved my legs let alone get ready every day. I like being prepared!

  10. Never seen the show, but I definitely don't like surprises. Although in the case of deployment, I might make an exception. At least it would allow me to avoid the nervous anxiety of waiting for him to show up!

  11. b. lee's response made me laugh because that is the best way to describe me too. I like to *think* I like surprises. I don't really, though. I want to know what is going to happen as much as possible.

    Jason did surprise me coming home once a long time ago. He showed up at our apartment around midnight. He didn't have a key so he had to ring the doorbell. Scared the crap out of me. He promised to never do it again. lol

    And no. I would not want to be on the show, although I do love to watch it. Such a great crying show. 😉

  12. I'm the same way. Hate surprises. And if you HAVE to surprise me, it better not be in public. I told this to my husband before he proposed. So, I was surprised at the top of a light house, with NO one around. It was perfect.

    Also, I crack surprises all the time. You CAN'T surprise me. It's almost impossible.

    But saying all of that, I think if I was to be surprised with anything, I wouldn't might it being a homecoming. I normally don't like surprises because I don't know how to handle it, or act. But I will always have the same reaction to my husband coming home. So there would be no issue. But for some reason that show is against the Marine Corps. Lol. I have yet to see a Marine on there to surprise his love ones.

  13. I hate surprises! Probably because I'm a control freak who likes everything organized and a certain way. Its so bad that the night my friends threw me a surprise bridal shower I got into a huge fight with Mister over him dragging me away from wedding things to "look at a house."

  14. I would in fact not enjoy a surprise homecoming in the least, and then to be caught on film with the ugly sobs and what not. No thank you!

  15. I hate surprises, too! I used to think I like them, hah! I know it drives my husband nuts when he tries to make plans or buy presents for me. I usually figure everything out before I can be surprised.

  16. OOhh. . I wouldn't mind the surprise. But, I know how it feels. . .I too have been caught of guard by my hubby. The night he propsed actually. . .omg I had been in a car ALL day. . .only for him to ask me to run an errand that I THOUGHT could wait (I didn't know he'd be waiting there). I WAS A MESS. . .and here he was, down on one knee!! It was AWESOME!!! But gosh I couldn't wait to get home and SHOWER lol!

  17. I love surprises. But I can definitely see how you wouldn't like that one as much only because you didn't feel prepared and wanted everything to be in order for him. I'm guessing he didn't mind too much though? 🙂

  18. I hate surprises!! Just like other ppl are saying I'm a total control freak and I'm afraid of being disappointed haha. Plus I definitely have a case of the ugly sobs so I would really hate to be caught on TV like that haha.

  19. So interesting you posted about this! Sunday I watched "Coming Home", as I always do, and really started thinking about whether I would like that sort of thing. I love watching them and I think they're incredibly moving and sweet. But my husband but never think about it! I want to be prepared..not just home, but in all the lady bits, too. Lets face it, sometimes we can get lazy up until we know there's a reason to dust out the ol' cob webs! 🙂

    I'd meant to pose a similar question on our unconventional_mil_spouse Facebook page and never got to it. Thanks for the reminder!

  20. I absolutely love that show! There isn't an episode, yet, where I haven't needed the tissues. LOL Sundays are definitely my crying-out-loud day.

    Surprises are rather rare for me because I'm not too enthusiastic about them. I like to know what's going on. I do enjoy a surprise every now and then, especially if it's one that takes my breath away. =)

  21. I do like suprises, but I very much like being in control too =)

    I have thought about the show and while it is great for those families, it would not work for mine. My husband and children are very shy. I think that if we were to do something like that show, my hubby would really hold back his true feelings and i would be left feeling disappointed. Not to mention, I know how much he dislikes attention of any kind.

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