This is a captivating tale of love, faith, and the transformative power of human connection, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected encounters can lead to the greatest adventures of all.
Journey alongside Ruth, a spirited young woman w...
Benji, now 30, and Ruth, 26, had built a beautiful and wonderful life together. They were proud parents of three children: five-year-old Reuben Josiah, a three-year-old girl named Abigail Rose, and a one year old baby boy named Jared Elisha. The family had spent Thanksgiving with Benji's extended family in Madrid, and now, as Christmas approached, they were in an airport, preparing for the long flight to Ohio to spend the holidays with Ruth's extended family. The hustle and bustle of the airport was nothing new to them, though it is a bit more challenging with three little ones in tow. Benji carried Abigail in one arm while carrying a backpack on his back and towing a suitcase behind him with his other hand. Jared clung to his mother from inside the baby wrap that she was wearing. In one hand, she was towing a second suitcase while walking beside Benji, holding Reuben's hand in her free hand. They boarded the plane and for most of the flight, Benji and the kids slept while Ruth stayed awake for the whole flight.
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After a long flight and a layover, they finally landed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The exhaustion was starting to set in, for Benji and Ruth especially, but the excitement of seeing Ruth's family kept their spirits high. They rented a car and drove the 45 minutes to her parents' house in Ohio. As soon as they pulled into the driveway, Ruth could see her family waiting on the front porch, bundled up against the cold. The moment they stepped out of the car, they were greeted with warm hugs and joyful laughter. Ruth's parents embraced her tightly, followed by her sisters and their spouses, who were all eager to see her after so long. "It's so good to have you home," Ruth's mother said, tears of happiness in her eyes as she hugged her daughter. "It's good to be home," Ruth replied, smiling as she looked around at the familiar surroundings. The men quickly set to work carrying in the luggage while the women ushered the children inside, out of the cold. Benji collapsed onto the couch and sunk into the cushions, he was practically dead from the trip. The house was filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter as everyone caught up, the warmth of the season filling the air. Their first Sunday back in Ruth's old church was a special one. The familiar faces and the sound of contemporary music brought back a flood of memories for her.
After the service, many of her old friends came up to chat, curious about her life in Germany. "It's been so long, Ruth! How have you been?" one of her friends asked, her eyes shining with curiosity. "What's life like in Germany?" "It's been wonderful," Ruth replied, smiling. "Benji and I have been very happy." The conversation flowed easily, but her friends had no idea how much had changed in Ruth's life. They didn't know how long she and Benji had been married, nor did they realize that the couple had three young children. That was until their two oldest kids, having walked around the church with their grandparents, came running across the church toward them. "Mama! Dad!" Reuben and Abigail called out, their voices ringing through the church as they ran into their parents' arms. Ruth's mother followed close behind, cradling the baby boy in her arms. Ruth's friends looked on in surprise, their eyes wide with disbelief. "You have three kids?" one of them exclaimed, his voice a mix of awe and admiration. Ruth laughed, nodding as she took the Jared from her mother. "Yes, we do. It's been a busy six years since I've been back here, but we wouldn't have it any other way."
As the days of the holiday season passed, the Krol family made the most of their time with Ruth's extended family, creating memories that would last a lifetime. But soon, it was time to return to Germany, where they planned to spend New Year's Eve with Nic, Nils, Tibo, and their families. When the family got back in Berlin, they headed to Nic's apartment for the New Years Eve party he and his wife were throwing. By the time they got there, the festivities were in full swing, all the kids were having a blast, playing games and enjoying the company of their friends. The adults, meanwhile, gathered in the living room, warm drinks in hand, counting down the minutes to midnight. Benji and Ruth found a quiet moment together on the balcony of Nic's apartment, the cold night air crisp against their skin. The city lights twinkled below them, a serene backdrop to their conversation. Benji wrapped his arm around his wife, pulling her close. "Can you believe it's almost been a year since we've had Jared?" Ruth smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "Time flies, doesn't it? I'm so grateful for everything we have, Benji. Our life, our children. It's more than I ever could have dreamed." Benji kissed the top of her head, his heart swelling with love for his family. "I feel the same way. You've made me the happiest man in the world, Honey. I promise you, no matter what comes our way, I'll be with you—forever and for always." Ruth looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "Forever and for always," she echoed. As they returned inside, the countdown to midnight began. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Benji and Ruth stood hand in hand, their hearts full of love and hope for the future. "Ten... nine... eight..." The voices grew louder as everyone joined in the countdown. "Three... two... one... Happy New Year!" Cheers erupted throughout the room, and Benji pulled Ruth into his arms, kissing his beautiful wife as the clock struck midnight. This was the start of another year of their lives, one filled with endless possibilities and a love that would last forever and for always.
{Closing}
*Hey everybody, I love how everything turned out for this story. I loved the names of the children: Reuben, which means 'behold, a son,' and Josiah, which means 'God supports.' Abigail, which means 'father's rejoice,' and Rose, which means 'flower.' Jared, which means 'descendant,' and Elisha which means 'God is my salvation.' This is a short chapter since it is the last. Thank you all so much, for commenting, and voting. I am so grateful for you all. [Word Count: over 1100 words] Thanks for reading! - GodLover
