On Mother's Day, I received the greatest gift ever: Billy home from Afghanistan! The night before, I finally fell asleep at 12:45 and a couple of hours later, woke up, too excited to sleep. David was snoozing away in his bedroom, unaware that his dad was coming home early the next morning.
There are a group of people who volunteer to take pictures of our troops when they land in Maine on their way home or on to deployment. They have a website (www.ourstopinmaine.smugmug.com)where they post the pictures and this is courtesy of them. Billy was talking to me when this picture was taken and had no idea that anyone was taking it. I was telling him to text me when he landed at March Air Force Base and when he got 29 Palms.
I hurriedly got David ready at 4:30 and was getting ready to go out the door when Billy texted and said he was here. I called my friend, Rebekah, who volunteered to take pictures of the homecoming and we headed up to the Motor T ramp. David was sleepy and a bit confused about where we were going. I told him that we were getting ready for his surprise.
We got to the ramp and perhaps due to recent events (Bin Laden's death), there were a lot of marines checking IDs and making sure no pets were in the car. David looked around at the dozens of marines in their camis and says, "Mama, are we in A-ganistan?" I just started laughing and told him we weren't in Afghanistan and that we were by Daddy's work.
We waited at the ramp for another fifteen or more minutes.
The many families awaiting their loved ones.
Anxiously waiting for the buses to arrive. David with his bestie, Emma.
Buses are here!
I think he knows his surprise is his Daddy.
Trying to get a glimpse of his dad.
Searching, searching, searching! I'd told Billy we were by the snack truck aka the roach coach and so we waited for a bit there, but then I got too impatient.
Where is he?
Oh, there you are, Daddy!
David giggling, "Mommy and Daddy are kissing!"
Can I get a hug?
Hugs for the little, I mean Big Maan!
A little piece of heaven!
Rebekah said the best part of the pictures was the joy on our faces. We couldn't be any happier!
More hugs!
David and Daddy, soon to be inseparable.
After seven LONG months, it's so great to have him home again!
6 comments:
Thats so exciting!! I'm so happy for you that he is home! Looking at your pictures made me cry, it brings back a lot of memories from when my dad was gone! For sure the best part of the deployment is seeing them back on US soil!
Wow, I started crying about 2 pictures in! I'm so happy you have Billy home - that's a LONG time! Tell him thanks for his service from your buddy in Boston! I love these pictures so much.
I can't even imagine how emotional that must have been. Thanks so much for sharing!
I'm so happy for you, Billy, and especially David. Your friend was right about the best part, being the joy on your faces. Thanks for letting us share in your joy.
What a great post! I had tears in my eyes by the second picture. We are so happy for you all!!! Miss you so much!
I have so much respect for you and for all the wives whose husbands are willing to serve our country. I remember first watching Surprise Homecomings and felt like I should never openly sulk about being away from my husband. These photos are priceless and I absolutely love them!!
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