Jamie came home from Afghanistan on October 30th, 2013. When he left the previous February we were told to expect a 12 month deployment, but then in June rumors started flying around that they were going to let him come home early.
Whether he was going to get to stay home in November or have to go back after his two week r&r was a decision that went back and forth about a half dozen times over the course of a few months. The back and forth was super emotional for me and my family because I knew that I would need help with Hadley if Jamie wasn’t going to be here for the first three months of her life, so we were constantly adjusting “the plan” either way.
During the second week in October, after knowing for a few months that Jamie was going to have to do the full 12 months, he called to say that he was “for sure” coming home to stay home. I harshly told him that I’d believe it when I saw him walk off the plane! I wasn’t frustrated with him in the slightest because the back and forth was no fault of his, but I was just exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster.
He got his orders a few days later and I cautiously started getting things together. My mom helped me clean the house, I did the big grocery trip (which is always really fun because I miss buying his favorite foods and drinks while he’s gone!), and I started doing some online shopping for outfits. Clarksville’s shopping options are already slim to none, but add in that I was 38 weeks pregnant; Finding something that would make me feel pretty was not going to happen. I embarrassingly ended up going on APeaInAPod.com and ordering about 16 outfits in a variety of sizes with intentions of only keeping one! I had no clue what would fit! I ended up not liking anything but keeping one anyway! I had no problem sending back the other 15 outfits because I knew I’d only be pregnant for another couple of weeks.
October 30th was a beautiful morning. I got to the hangar super early and hung out with my photographer Angela who helped calm all of my nerves. Not only is she also a military wife, but she’s photographed dozens of homecomings. She knew exactly when to head outside to get a good spot to watch for the plane, and she was also the one who told me it was okay to run out and find Jamie! I just love her.
Watching that plane land is always the best feeling.
Of course Jamie had seen pictures of me pregnant on Facebook and on Skype, but I knew he’d be shocked when he saw just how huge my 38-week belly way!
After the soldiers got off the plane, they lined up in a quick formation while we all took our seats on the bleachers inside. I could not wait to wrap my arms around him! Minutes away.
After they marched in, some people spoke for a few torturous minutes while everyone tapped their feet waiting for reunion time! Once they released the guys I sprinted to find Jamie. Here he is after I shouted his name!
Praise the Lord that He brought you home safely to us.
I can’t imagine how overwhelmed he must have felt seeing and feeling my belly for the first time knowing that he was going to be a father in a matter of days. I hope these precious moments stay frozen in my memory for all of my days.
I’m a little frustrated that I have my phone in my hand for most of these pictures, but when your husband is deployed in Afghanistan you never let your phone leave your side. 🙂
The feeling of having him home safe and sound knowing that he will be here for Hadley’s birth was an incredible feeling. Talk about a weight lifted off our shoulders!
I can’t believe all of this was three months ago already. Thank you to everyone who supported and prayed for both of us during my pregnancy and his second tour. We have the most incredible friends and family!
Photo Credit: Captured Moments by Angela (Clarksville, TN)
