Everyone took their turns giving my son a welcome home hug. I am so happy that I had a photographer, so that I didn’t have to worry about getting the pictures taken, and just enjoy watching the joy!
After we left the airport we had an appointment with our stake president to have my son released as a missionary.
We met at the stake president’s home. My mom, and my daughters were there with us. The stake president asked my son about his mission and a few other questions. He then asked him to bare his testimony. I can’t describe the pride I was feeling as I listened to my son answer the stake president’s questions, and then bare his testimony.
The stake president then asked if he could see my son’s name tag. My son handed him the missionary name tag that he had worn the past two years. Then after saying a few thoughts, the stake president said he was released at a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. My son then started to cry, and so did I. I have heard from many returned missionaries that this is very difficult, taking off the name tag and being released as a missionary. They look forward to coming home, but not leaving the work, and the people they have come to love. Just be prepared for that.
We then met everyone at a local restaurant to have a welcome home dinner. That was a wonderful dinner, probably the best dinner of my life. It felt surreal, sitting there having my son right next to me. It was a dream come true. A dream that I had since I knew I was having a boy. I will always be grateful that I was able to be a missionary mom, an honor I will always be proud of, and will miss.
I have shared these experiences to help any mother out there that may be having a difficult time as a missionary mom, or just needs some ideas, some things I wished I had known before sending my son on his mission. I am willing to answer any questions anyone may have to the best of my ability.
Thank you for reading!