H is for Homecomings

Homecomings are some of the most exciting days in military life. I am not sure what is better than seeing your significant other coming down the gang way, or marching into the hanger after getting off the last leg of their flight home. Yeah, your significant other is most likely smelly, but that won’t stop you from throwing your arms around them. It is the one day that makes all the time apart seem insignificant. 

My husband and I have had two Homecomings after deployments so far. One while we were dating, and one shortly after we were married. 

The First Homecoming

That first homecoming I didn’t know what to expect. Would he be the same as when he left? Did his feelings for me change? Would I know what to say? I spent the entire two-hour drive from my home to his apartment wondering what it would be like to see him walk off that plane. 

Now, since we were dating I didn’t have base access so I waited at the gate for one of his co-workers to escort me to the terminal. I was there an hour and half before his plane was due to land…I hoped I had allowed myself enough time. 

After a hiccup with the ID card system, I was on base, now it was only thirty minutes until his plane was due to land. I quickly parked my car, and his co-worker and I hurried into the terminal. A plane had just landed and people were coming through the doors. I felt more nervous than I had ever been. We were greeted just inside the door by some of his other co-workers. They informed us, that he wasn’t on that plane, he had been delayed. 

We waited for almost four more hours. I watched hundreds of people come through the terminal doors. Each time looking for his familiar face, wondering if it was his plane. Then, a new co-worker arrived. He had just gotten word that my man was on the next plane due to land, any second. We heard the plane land. 

Again I felt so nervous. I stood facing the doors, no welcome home sign, just me. I watched as people kept walking in. Then from behind me I hear, “Hey you.” I turned around and there he stood. All of my anxieties just disappeared. We had done it, we had made it through our first deployment. It didn’t even bother me that we had to drive the twenty minutes from base to his apartment with the windows down because he smelled like deployment! 

Do you remember your first homecoming? I would love to have you share your stories with me!