The Visit that Warmed my Heart

Set back the clock a few years — yours truly set off on an adventure of a lifetime. I was still in High School and hence young, naive and let's face it, downright petrified to be leaving home. I was accepted to a program for North American students to spend the year living on a kibbutz in Israel while attending the local High School. Almost a full year away without coming home once... not an easy feat for someone who had a tad of separation anxiety! Anyway, off I went, flew across the world and tried to settle into my new life for the next 10 months. Let's just say my parents received frequent calls from their daughter who had tears in her eyes.

One sunny day I was leisurely walking down the path that led to my dorm room. As I got closer, I could vaguely see a man standing in front of my door. I didn't think much of it until I got a little closer and this dude started to look really familiar. As I got closer still I couldn't believe who I saw and almost passed out (it's a super-strange feeling if it's ever happened to you, you know what I mean). Guess who?? My dad! He grabbed me in his arms, said "I needed to see you smile and now that I've seen it, I can go back home at peace". WHAT?? I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing — it was him, in the flesh and he'd flown across the universe to see me smile! Talk about an amazing dad!

We found a great car rental deal and took some time traveling around the country together. I still have tears in my eyes as I write this, even though it was so many years ago. Moral of the story — surprise someone and warm their heart by searching for car rental deals and taking them on a getaway that will mean the world to them. Like I said at the beginning, I'd love to hear your story. Please do pass it on!