This past Saturday I had the privilege of photographing a friend of mine as she and her two boys welcomed home their Daddy after being gone for over nine months serving our country. This was also the first time he would be holding his new four month old son in his arms. I knew it was going to be an emotional day and I wanted to capture every moment in a way that would tell a story for years to come.

The day was full of excitement and anticipation, as we approached the welcoming area it wasn't long after we arrived that we heard someone announce, "the plane is 10 minutes away!" Everybody began moving around to take their place in line and before we knew it people in the crowd began pointing and shouting, "there it is! there it is!" I have never felt such emotion. I could feel it all over my skin and right down to my core that the sight and sound of that plane landing was the best sound in the world, it signified that their men were home safe and about to be in their arms.
We waited eagerly patiently for them to get off the plane and march in and straight into the arms of their loved ones. As they approached the crowd cheered and clapped and everybody had a smile from ear to ear as well as tears streaming down their face. It was a beautiful day. It touched my heart deeply as I witnessed what these men and their families sacrifice as they answer the call to serve.

From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you!