Homecoming 2013
I feel silly saying there’s a bad part to a homecoming, but if there is a bad part it’s after their allotted time off is over, aka: the day they have to go back to work. Technically, my husband actually went back to the office on Friday, but this is his first full week back to work. We had a blissful time during his break, so now it’s back to reality and time to figure out our new routine again—a routine that involves waking up at 5 am (and the baby isn’t even here yet!).
So because he’s back to work and I’m home alone, trying to get the motivation to walk up the stairs to take a shower, I figured it’d be a good time to relive a moment last month that brought so much excitement: the homecoming!
They flew in on a Saturday night. Originally, they were supposed to arrive earlier that week, on a Wednesday, but plans changed. We rolled with the new schedule and were eager to see their faces on Saturday afternoon. Then the afternoon time changed to evening. At that point, we were all just happy the homecoming was still happening that day!
This was the first time my husband’s deployed with his entire squadron, so the atmosphere was different than what I’m used to. I’m used to a decent crowd, but I usually don’t know anybody. It was nice to look around the building and see familiar faces, all eager to see their loved ones. In past deployments, there haven’t been any welcome-home signs or even a big fuss made over their return. In fact, women would show up in pajamas to pick up their husbands…if they showed up at all. I loved seeing the turnout and excitement for this homecoming!
So as I said, they came in at night, and it was COLD. The plane flew arrived on the flightline and everyone started gathering as close to the edge of the building as we could go without getting rained on. Oh yes, it was raining, too. Frigid may be a better word for the weather that night!
Once the plane landed, my nerves kicked in. I hadn’t seen my husband in almost seven months. The last time he saw me I looked completely different; he looked different, too. And as with every homecoming, I was nervous I wouldn’t recognize him. When there’s around 200 (mostly) men all rushing off the plane and all wearing the same thing—at night—it gets a little nerve wracking looking for your airman.
That first hug was amazing. I could hear him crying as I shed my own tears of relief. After all the hugs and kisses, and after we wiped our tears, his hands found his way to my belly and he said hi to his daughter. It’s crazy to think that she was only the size of a lima bean when he left!
(Below is a short video from AFN Aviano about the homecoming)
*photos from: my iPhone, my friend Sabrina, and PumpkinCharm Photography
I love homecomings, so many amazing feelings and emotions. 🙂
Beautiful pictures my friend!
Thanks for the recap Jess – I think anytime we get to be with "our soldier/airmen/marine" it is hard knowing it will end at some point and they'll be back to work or back to deployment. So glad he's home with you and that you got to celebrate their homecoming with so many people!
These are gorgeous! It makes me so excited for my husband's homecoming, even if it still a ways off. I am so excited for you and your expanding family =)
Deployment homecomings always make me tear up. I love all the pictures of him with his hand on your belly, so sweet!
I can't imagine the emotion and excitement! What a special moment that must have been. And so nice that you have those photos to remember it by!
Aww that's so sweet, how he wouldn't stop touching your belly! I was 15 weeks pregnant, so hardly showing, but my husband was still like "wow!"
OH MY GOODNESS- there are simply no words for what I felt seeing these pictures and I know the feeling must have been better than pure joy! Welcome home to him and congrats to you on an amazing homecoming celebration!
I love this! Your pictures are amazing. I love the happiness in both of your faces.
Awww! I nearly cried reading this post and seeing how happy the THREE of you were being reunited! 🙂 What a blessing that your hubby was able to come home in time to see his baby's birth!
Best of luck & enjoy as your due date draws near! I just had my baby over the weekend & it is truly a blessing!
Cheers,
Kristina
This is so wonderful, Jess. You are positively glowing and look beautiful. Now fatten Kenny up!!
TEARS IN MY EYES! This is absolutely wonderful!
Abby
notsosimplyabby.blogspot.com
Beautiful!
Totally crying here. Those photos are beautiful. And I must admit I am shocked at women in pajamas or not showing up at all, but I suppose that's a discussion for another time).
That's awesome! I so wish I had photos of our last homecoming!
~Kara
greenmtngirl.com
Homecomings are sooo amazingly beautiful, and your photos show the true love that flows on those special days!
Thank you for sharing this on #milfammonday!
And you get to do it again, have your DH come home to a baby bump:) I love your photos, thanks so much for sharing them:)
Tears. Military life has turned me into such a sap. Oh my goodness. Homecoming stories are my absolute favorite. My husband is currently away, and now you have me all excited about homecoming. How old is your baby now?
Lauren.