It's been awhile since I blogged, but a lot has happened in the last few months and I can't believe how quickly the days have been clicking by. The much anticipated homecoming of my husband came after he had been deployed aboard the USNS Charles Drew for 9.5 months! This is a supply ship which supported the aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln, sailing around the world and spening most of their time in the Middle East. Keiffer has been in the Navy for 16 years and is an officer in a helicopter squadron here in San Diego. His official title is Lieutenant JG Marino. This was Keiffer's third deployment in our five years of being married, in addition to countless detachments for one to 6 weeks at a time. Keiffer has probably been gone half of our marriage! The one thing about our separations that makes us different than a lot of families, is that it strengthens our love and devotion to one another. Deployments often result in divorce or separation for families, so we are lucky that we have the perspective that we do and use it as time to test and strengthen our love. One thing I like about deployments is that they force me to see what I'm really made of and what I can accomplish on my own. They make me feel like Wonder Woman, although I really enjoy it when Keiffer comes home and can help relieve the load I carry so well. We were more than ready this time to get this deployment over with and be a family once more.
The kids and I got all dressed up in our patriotic best and headed to his hangar at NAS North Island on August 21st. As I was preparing for his homecoming, I was left pondering how this one would be different than those of the past. Would it be dramatic? Would it be exciting? Would I get there on time?
The first homecoming I experienced was back in Whidbey Island Washington in 2008 when I was 8 months pregnant with Calista. It was a pretty dramatic homecoming because Keiffer had only seen photos of me pregnant. Here he was coming home to a very pregnant wife and his unborn child! This reunion was extra special because he flew in on a commercial aircraft which pulled right up to the hangar, unloading all the sailors. It was the kind of reunion you see on tv, where the sailors are all stepping down the stairs off the airplane with their eyes eagerly scanning the crowd looking for some familiar faces. My heart was racing as I wondered what it would be like seeing him again. Would he still love me? Would he still find me attractive? What would he think about my very changed pregnant body? Will I still know how to kiss? All sorts of crazy things went through my head. In that moment when we locked eyes and walked toward each other for the first time in 6 months, I knew that everything would be alright. He was finally home and my worrying and waiting was over.
The best moment of a homecoming is the first hug. I have never before felt the level of relief that I did that first time we touched and were reunited. I felt a wave go through me from the top of my head all the way down to my toes and then back up and out my chest as my body shot out all the pain, fear and anxiety which plagued me the entire time Keiffer was away. At that moment where the relief overcame me is when the tears began to roll... like really roll. It is a feeling I wish everyone could experience. Only because it makes you truly understand the meaning of sacrifice. Never before have I so greatly appreciated two feet standing on the same ground before me.
Keiffer's second deployment was aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and just as this last deployment, he spent most of the 8 months away in the Middle East.
This time I was pregnant with Tennyson and homecoming was a lot different. We didn't get word of his arrival until a day before, and it was only the day of where I was told what time to show up to the base. It ended up being later in the evening around 7pm, and I had two little ones who were tired. I got lost trying to find the airport on base and showed up after the plane had already landed. Most people were already headed to their cars. I had the girls in the double stroller and as I walked through the doors of the airport, there stood Keiffer. It was so exciting watching his reunion with the girls. Calista was so thrilled to see daddy, but Bridget just sat in her stroller staring at him in awe. She didn't know what was going on. It was a less dramatic reunion between Keiffer and me, but still a great event and a tremendous relief!
Tennyson didn't know what to think about the loud helicopers coming his way! His face says it all. Calista and Bridget were just wondering when they would see their daddy's face again.
We could see all the faces staring out of the windows of the helicopters. I wondered if Keiffer could see us and our big sign. We waited until the helicopter doors opened and men started jumping out with their helmets, goggles and ear protection on. Then finally a man stood in front of us and excitedly motioned everyone to run and find our loved ones! As we started toward the helicopter looking though the sea of people, Bridget got scared and froze. Calista kept running forward looking for her daddy, while I went back to get Bridget. By the time I turned around, Keiffer and Calista had already found each other and were hugging. Keiffer lost it when he saw his baby Bridget.
I was next in line for a hug.
The first hug... the moment I described above of pain leaving the body and relief taking over.
I just have to add this photo because it is so funny to me. Keiffer is commenting to me how amazed he is that he can wrap his arms around my body, and about how tiny my waist had gotten since the last time he saw me. I had lost a lot of baby weight during his deployment, and was about 60 pounds lighter than either of the other times he came home!
Tennyson's turn. "Who is this guy?"
Calista kept jumping up and down squeeling with delight. She was so happy to have her daddy back!
Reunited with his kids. Oh happy day!
Our family is back together!
Thank you Lord for bringing Keiffer home safe.
Please support our military. Remember that there is a price for freedom. Military members risk their lives to protect our freedom. They sacrifice time with their families and place on hold all goals and personal ambitions to promote peace around the world. Their families are left alone, wondering, worrying, missing, longing. Please pray for the safety and courage of our military men and women, as well as their families. If you see someone who is or has served in our armed forced, thank him. If you see a military spouse, thank her. If you can, offer help. Send a package to someone oversees. Offer to babysit for an overwhelmed mother. Bring her dinner. Write a letter of thanks to someone you know who is serving. It's the seemingly little things that to a military service member or family mean the world and make all the difference, especially during deployments! Oh, and make sure to VOTE for people who support our military and do not want to make cuts to benefits that veterans so greatly deserve. Remember that it is the American military who keep this country safe and free, and other countries in check. We need a strong, sizeable military to deter those who want to harm us, and go to fight for those people and countries who can't defend themselves.
