You’ve been waiting for this day for eternity.
Each day that passes seems to drag slower and slower, but then again it’s here before you know it.
A cool, windy Texas morning, you wake your daughter, dress her in a special outfit, touch up your makeup, and head out to the field.
Only a little longer and your soldier will be here.
The excitement of the crowd is contagious.
The music is booming some upbeat tune, the friends and family nervously chatting away.
You removes the coin from your pocket that you’ve held close to your heart for many months.
You finally get to give it back. (Your husband and you exchange coins at the beginning and end of each deployment)
Your daughter is getting restless. Heck, you are getting restless.
Where are they?
It’s 9:45!
Haven’t we waited long enough?
Finally the DJ music fades and it’s announced that your soldier is on his way.
On his way. Almost here.
Then, there, in the distance, you see the white buses.
Your eyes flood with tears.
He’s there. Can it really be true? Is he really home? Is this really over?
Your daughter understands. She’s yelling to her daddy, “Here I am. Daddy, please come get me!”
The seconds drag by as the buses are unloaded.
How can so many emotions be rolled up in such a short amount of time?
Happiness he is here.
Anxiety.
Relief.
Love.
And Pride.
You can barely hear the crowd scream, “Move those Buses!” your heart is pounding too loudly.
Your daughter is incredibly anxious to run to the soldiers moving towards you. She doesn’t know which one is her daddy but she has look on her face that tells the world she will find him.
It is all you can do to hold her back. Part of you just wants to let her run.
As the buses are moved and the soldiers behind them are revealed, your heart is full and could burst with pride.
Your soldier is here. He’s in that group. He’s RIGHT there. His mission is over.
The tears continue to roll down your cheeks. Close your eyes; take a deep breath, you tell yourself. It’s almost here, just a little, painfully little longer.
When you open your eyes you spot your soldier immediately. So, so close.
There can’t be more than 100 feet separating you from your whole world.
Prayers and congratulations are said, but you’re not listening.
You’re waiting for one word.
One.
Word.
CHARGE! 
The crowd surges forward beside you.
And before you know it. There he is.
His arms wrap around you and your daughter and your whole world crashes back together.
It’s over. We did it.
Welcome home <3 Thank you so much for letting me capture this part of your story.
