Airport Questions! Should I go big and if I do.. what to do?!

[BlueCat]

I love the idea of a sign, I'm not sure why I've never thought about doing that before, I might have to make something up for the next time I see my SO.

I'm also of the opinion that family at the airport could be a bit overwhelming.

[dizzyupthemeg]

Oh I like this. What do you think about me picking him up from the airport and then possibly meeting them for quiet dinner or something?

I think this is the perfect idea. Even today, after years together and a marriage, if my SO met me at the airport with a bunch of other people I would be overwhelmed. Also assuming he is flying into Louisville, I find it's a very small airport. There isn't a lot of room for that many people to stand together or just sit and talk etc. It's not a great place for more than a quick hello followed by immediately leaving. A dinner would give everyone some more time to actually get to know your SO.

[80anthea]

Our first meeting was a little different as it wasn't in his home state so it was just the two of us for the whole two weeks and it was lovely. The first time I went to his home state his best friend came with him to the airport (he didn't want to drive and get lost!) and the three of us went out for food, that too was really nice as I'd heard so much about his BF that it was nice to meet him finally. We then went back to his Mom's to meet the rest of his family and to be honest by then I was really tired and all I wanted was to go back to his house and be with him alone. I don't think I spoke much to his family as a result and then I spent the evening worrying that they'd think I was a rude English girl but in reality I was just so exhausted after travelling so far! It was a far more successful meeting the day after when I'd slept.

[vicks5721]

When I met my Fiance for the first time when he came to England I went to the airport alone to meet him and I know that he likes it better that way as he had a long flight and it was his first time travelling abroad. He was so exhausted that he didn't eat until later which was mainly due to the fact he had a delay with his first flight to Chicago because of stormy weather. We had already planned he would meet my mum at a cafe in my hometown that same day he arrived as he would be staying at her house with me and so it was important that he did, it was very laid back, just a coffee and simple chat to meet her.

When I go to live in America at the end of March to be with my Fiance, he said originally he wasn't going to be able to be there to meet me at the airport and just his parents would come pick me up. I expressed to him how nervous I would be and that I would be unsure what to say when I meet new people and I would be tired after a 12 hour flight. But then later the next day he had spoke to his sister and she said she would be able to drive him to the train station and he can now come. I will meet his parents that day, but I am okay with it knowing my SO will be there as well, I am happy to meet them when I arrive as they are really excited to meet me. I would feel overwhelmed if I had to meet his family all the same day though. I am the sort of person who feels more comfortable meeting family and friends in small groups or individually. Our wedding day will be different though I will meet his relatives and friends, family friends, But I know I will meet some of the people beforehand, so I will adjust to it easier.

So my advice is talk to your SO more about it, from what you wrote it does sound like he would prefer it to be just you and him the first time.

[Petals]

I would try to be my best self meeting so many people after a long flight, but I would be itching for everyone to leave so that I could just be with my fiancé. The idea of a family gathering a few hrs after his arrival is better.

My fiancé met me at the airport alone. We went home and I showered and we spent the afternoon cuddling and sleeping. I didn't meet anyone else until the next day ad I much prefer it this way.

[Hollandia]

Flying and customs and stress on travel days wiped me out. I would prefer him alone and as Moon said meet up later with others after he can decompress and freshen up.

[differentcountries]

Oh I like this. What do you think about me picking him up from the airport and then possibly meeting them for quiet dinner or something?

That sounds like a lovely option. Then you will have some time alone with him, even if just in the car and a little bit afterwords, it can mean so much to be able to calm down together. Food is a good way to gather, it can be an informal and friendly atmoshere and he will get his strenght back from eating so it is much easier to deal with questions he might be getting.

[Niamhy]

I am also very impatient when it comes to meeting up. Speaking for myself, I would hate it if there were other people there. After being so long without my SO, his is the first face I want to see. Seeing him for the first time in months is very emotional. I love just having time with him alone before I have to meet his family.
One time when I flew there, I went straight from the airport to a meal with a large group of his family members. I found the whole thing very overwhelming :S

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you two have an awesome time together