sight for sore eyes
http://grafx.dli.com/slang/images/22...r_sore_220.jpg
Definition: Something or someone that is pleasing to see; a thing or person that brings happiness
Example: After a week in the desert, the pool of water was a sight for sore eyes
You're a sight for sore eyes -- I thought that I'd never see your smiling face again
Etymology: 'Sore' means 'tired' or 'painful'. In this phrase, one's eyes are 'sore' because they haven't seen anything good lately. The thing or person that is seen -- the 'sight' -- brings relief to 'sore' eyes
