I originally began writing this post on October 24, 2017. It’s been difficult to write about because it’s a very personal experience, so I will apologize up front as this post may seem a bit choppy. I’m not sure how much I should or want to share. Please note that real names have been changed to protect our relatives’ identities and privacy.

When my husband and I were dating and getting pretty serious, his maternal grandparents came to visit. They wanted to visit with their grandson but part of the reason for their visit, too, was to “check me out”. I’m not sure why, but I was incredibly nervous to meet my husband’s mother, but when it came to anyone else in his family, I wasn’t nervous. I’m happy to report that the visit went exceptionally well. When it came time for his grandparents to leave, his grandfather, Robert* pulled me aside. He told me that he could see how happy his grandson was and that it was because of me. He then welcomed me to the family, hugged me, and kissed me on the cheek.

His grandmother, Helen* then pulled me aside. She thanked me for making her grandson so happy. She, too, welcomed me to the family.  She also told me not to worry about her daughter (Nora*), she’d handle her before I met her. I think it was pretty cool to have his grandparents say/do that. It sure made meeting his mother much easier. Turned out I didn’t have anything to worry about and I’m pretty lucky to be able to say that I love my in-laws and don’t dread visiting with them. My husband’s entire family is nothing short of amazing and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.

We spent the Christmas 2016 holiday at Helen’s* beautiful house and we had a wonderful time. It was a little bittersweet, too, as Robert* had passed away in 2011. They had been married for 62 years. It was painfully obvious that Helen* was missing her husband, but we had some great conversations and an all-around lovely visit.

Since the family was all staying at Helen’s*, we were assigned the master bedroom. Helen* no longer slept in the room she shared with her husband since his passing. One night I had trouble falling asleep. My husband, however, slept like a log. I finally began to drift off after a while of lying on my side and rubbing my husband’s back. I don’t know how much time passed, but I was awakened by a very strong feeling that someone was standing next to my side of the bed. I looked over my left shoulder and saw the most incredible… I don’t know what to call it … vision? Image? Apparition?

I saw Robert* was standing there – or maybe he was floating as I only saw him from head-to-knees – but he was bathed in a beautiful, warm golden light and he was smiling from ear-to-ear as he bent forward a bit to look at me to my husband. I could see through him, too. I couldn’t stop looking at him as he gazed at my husband. I felt Robert’s* incredible joy over the fact that his grandson made the trip to spend the holiday with Helen*. It was one of the most beautiful, intimate experiences I’ve had in my life. I thought to wake my husband but then decided against it. Robert* cast his radiant smile at me then simply faded from view.

I hesitated to tell my husband about it the next morning when we woke. I wasn’t sure how he would take it since we were at his grandparent’s house and his grandmother was struggling a bit with her own emotions. But I did tell him and it made him smile. The next evening, we decided to leave a tape recorder through the night. We conducted a very short EVP session in the bedroom after everyone else had gone to bed. The only thing we did pick up on the recorder was a short “Hello” and that was it. The bedroom we were staying in was separate from the rest of the rooms the other family members were staying in. Our bedroom wasn’t located near any room in the house that would get foot traffic in the middle of the night, either.

I think back to this experience often and each time that I do, I feel the peace that had washed over me that night. I feel the love this man still holds for his grandson to this day, even though he is no long

If anyone who reads this has had similar experiences, we’d love to hear them! Just leave a comment on our Facebook page in response to this post