An unexpected truth

Ever had anyone say something to you that’s so profound it momentarily stops your breathing? That happened to me today.

I have a relatively new friend I’ve been chatting with lately, the wife of a woman I’ve known through social media for years. They’re a binational couple like Nigel and I were, and that’s something that always catches my attention (of course…). We shared our stories, and I told her my story of love and loss, of the life that Nigel and I shared, how I’d married into an awesome family, and how utterly improbable all of that was.

Today, she said, “Nigel brought you home”, and I instantly realised she’d got it exactly right! I have no idea why I never realised a fact that I now see as obvious.

If Nigel and I had never met, I still would’ve visited New Zealand as as tourist like I’d planned, but I’d have had no reason to move here. Because we met and fell in love, we formed our family and built a life together. Back in those days, me moving to New Zealand was the only way we could be together, and so, Nigel really did bring me home, even though I never saw it that way before today.

There’s that old expression, “home is where the heart is,” something I know I’ve said plenty of times throughout my life. But today, thanks to my friend, I truly understand what it means.