deployment homecoming – SierraSweetheart

Sitting in the passenger seat, I looked over at him and smiled. The sun seemed to be resting happily on his shoulder. He kept one hand steady on the steering wheel and stretched the other out to me. I closed my eyes as he lifted the back of my hand to his lips and planted a gentle kiss. Life sure had a funny way of coming full circle…

A loud buzzing rang out and filled the room, startling me from my sleep. I reached over and quickly turned off the alarm then looked over my shoulder to see if my husband was awake. He was still resting peacefully, eyes closed tight. I decided to take a moment to reflect.

Today was the day. The first day of summer leave. We had waited so long for this vacation. It almost didn’t come. I still remember the day I received the email. It came from my husband’s company. These days, the emails that came could have literally been anything. For a moment after my phone vibrated, I just stared at it. One new message. What could it possibly be? The entire world seemed to be in both a fragile and hostile state. The perfect recipe for disaster. Regardless of how nervous I was, I knew it was going to be information that I needed. I swiped down from my notification bar and my eyes instantly grew wide.

‘Great news!! The travel ban has been lifted and we have official dates for summer leave.’ I teared up as I read it over and over. ‘Please check with your paratrooper for further details.’ I sent my husband a screenshot of the email and he replied back with about a million smiley faces and exclamation points. This is what life had become. Celebrating the smallest of things. Every positive was a victory. We were definitely grateful. I couldn’t wait to start planning!

‘You awake baby?’ He pulled me from my thoughts. When had he climbed out of bed? Did I fall back asleep? Last night had been a restless one for me. I was so excited that it seemed like sleep never came. It was like the night before the first day of school when your outfit is already picked out and you can’t wait to see your friends. ‘I’m awake!’ I jumped out of bed and right into his arms. The adrenaline rush had set in. It was time to start our vacation!!

The next two hours were a whirlwind of showers, breakfast and packing up the car. Finally, the time came to get on the road.

I picked up our puppy, Noelle, with one hand and slid my purse over my shoulder with the other as I stepped outside. The sound of the door locking behind us made me let out a little giggle. I instantly felt silly. He must have noticed. He flashed me a smile as he slid the keys into his pocket and let out a chuckle of his own that was clearly meant to match mine. It didn’t seem so silly after all. He reached for Noelle and she dove into his arms, leaving me with free hands as we made our way down the steps. The three of us piled into the car and we would soon be on our way.

I looked around at the bags surrounding us. The last time we were all in the car like this, we were headed home to prepare for my husband’s rapid departure overseas. I glanced over at him as he slid on his sunglasses. I called him Mr. Smooth whenever he wore them. He cracked his knuckles and put the car into drive.

I looked down at Noelle, she had already cuddled up to her favorite toy and was setting her sights on a good nap. Everything felt normal. It felt perfect.

My husband passed me the aux cord as the sunshine hit my face. It felt SO good. We were on the road again! But this time was different. This was better than the last time.

My hands started shaking as I turned the wheel. This was it. The moment we had both been longing for. The moment that felt like it would never come. And then there he was…walking towards me with that smile that I loved so much. God, it was so good to see him again. Holding back tears, I allowed myself to fully breathe for the first time in months…

I stepped back and smiled, admiring the decorations that surrounded me. Hues of pink and red cascaded from the ceiling. Everything was so beautiful. It was perfect. I walked over to the couch and grabbed my phone. It was time to check the Redeployment Hotline again. My fingers dialed the number from memory. The familiar sound of the automated voice on the other end filled my ears. I quietly wondered to myself, just how many times had I called this number over the past few days?

This time was different. I replayed the message to ensure I had heard it correctly.

There was a last minute update! He would be arriving almost an hour earlier than expected! The smallest cry escaped my lips as the realization hit me.

In one smooth motion, I grabbed my purse and my car keys as I headed out the door.

Once in the car, I pulled up the GPS and said out loud ‘He’s finally home.’ It was finally time to bring him home. I met my own eyes in the mirror as I did a quick lookover. They seemed to twinkle back at me.

Red dress. I was wearing one of his favorite colors on me. Red. So bright and fiery, much like our marriage. I smiled as I thought about how much he was going to love it, and then buckled my seatbelt as I headed to get my man.

The sun was bright and the birds were chirping happily. I rolled the windows down as a light breeze filled the car and blew my hair softly in the wind. I didn’t need a feel good song playing on the radio. I was in a state of pure bliss.

Before I knew it, I had pulled up to the massive gates on base. It felt different today. My husband was behind these gates and I was here to bring him home. For a moment, my mind went back to the day I dropped him off…

‘I love you baby, see you when you get home.’ A tear crept down my cheek just as I tried to quickly turn and hide it from him. His strong but gentle hand grabbed my shoulder and stopped me. He pulled me close and rested his chin on my head as he had done so many times before. ‘It’s okay baby, it’s okay.’

I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about how long ago that now seemed. I pulled up and prepared to patiently wait. It had already been so long. What was a few more minutes?

The buses rolled in. We made a line to wave them on. Posters and pom poms flew in every direction as they disappeared farther down the road. It lasted only a few seconds. This was our official “Welcome Ceremony.” Thanks to social distancing, there would be no large gatherings or fancy programs. It had been an adjustment for all of us.

It was now time to reunite with my husband.

I drove to the meeting location and patiently waited. Almost immediately, I saw him heading my way. He seemed taller. He was a bit thinner. His eyes looked a little tired. But he was smiling at me!! He was happy!! I could’ve cried tears of joy at that moment.

We embraced immediately and shared the most passionate kiss. It was well overdue.

I couldn’t stop talking on the way home. I was so excited to update him on EVERYTHING. As we got closer, I glanced down at our hands locked together and resting between us. ‘I really missed this baby,’ he said it so low that I almost didn’t hear. I glanced over at him as he drove and quietly thanked GOD for bringing him back safely to me. Tears welled up in my eyes. I blinked them away.

We were headed to his Welcome Home Party!!

It was time for the big surprise! I quietly waited inside a life-sized box as he walked in, unaware of what was to come. He pulled it open earnestly but gently. My heart began to race as I prepared to jump out. A shower of rose petals fell between us and he flashed that smile at me once again.

We laughed and embraced and enjoyed the party. A familiar song began to play on the radio. It was the same song that had played on the night he left all those months ago. Our eyes quietly met. It felt too perfect to be a coincidence. He took me into his arms and in that moment, all was right with the world. We spoke no words for the duration of the song and slow-danced from start to finish. I could see the emotion in his eyes. When he released it, it was my turn to take him into my arms. It felt so good to be reunited.

He was safe. He was healthy. He was in my arms. He was Home.

https://youtu.be/3WxHJEZhQ3s