I have great news! Last night my husband, Dave, returned home safely from Afghanistan! This was his third deployment since 2007!
At exactly midnight, almost 150 soldiers walked into the gym at USAG Bavaria – Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany to greet stands full of cheering friends and family!
I was at the gym with my daughter, Emily and my son, Matthew along with my best friend Chasity (who was behind the camera taking all the pictures!) As the soldiers began walking into the gym… my heart started racing, looking for my soldier! Finally, my daughter whispered to me, “I see Daddy!”
And there he was in the front row, directly in front of us! You can see in the picture above that he’s standing to the right of the soldier wearing the Stetson hat in the front row!
We were minutes away from our reunion and I could hardly contain my excitement! Even though I’d gone through this ceremony twice before, seeing my husband standing there gave me chills and brought extreme joy to my heart!
The Chaplain said a prayer and a high ranking Colonel in the unit said a few remarks. And after 2 short minutes… the soldiers were released!
Me and the kids waited at our seats for the crowds to pass and for Dave to walk over to us. But, my daughter Emily could hardly container her emotions. She was so happy, elated, emotional that tears instantly started flowing as she ran to and hugged her father.
This was Dave’s third deployment, and the shortest. His first was 16 months to Iraq, second was 12 months to Iraq and finally this deployment was 7 months to Afghanistan. Although this was the shortest deployment, it was definitely the most difficult. I was in Germany while he was at war… far away from my family and friends. And I now had a toddler and teenager to raise on my own. Challenges I never imagined being able to tackle without my husband.
But, the moment was finally here. The moment our family would be together again. 7 months had gone since I had held my husband in my arms. 7 months had passed since I had felt his arms around me. 7 months since I felt the love in his kiss.
Once Matty got a hold of Dave… he wouldn’t let go! I snapped this picture just as we were heading out of the gym… So precious.
My husband is home. My family is together again. And I am so filled completely filled with joy! These next few months of our lives together are going to be so amazing.
The Army has allowed Dave to take 4-day weekends between now and Memorial Day and then in June he’ll get 22 days off! We plan to travel, spend a lot of time together and enjoy our time here in Europe!
Thank you to everyone who has loved and supported me though out this deployment. I truly appreciate your kind words of encouragement and support! It has truly helped get me through it!
As you might imagine, I’ll be spending the next week or so glued to my husband. So… I’ll be taking some time off from baking and blogging. Have no fear though! I’ve got two of my great friends and bloggers filling on JavaCupcake for me!
Toni of Make Bake Celebrate and Erin of Texanerin Baking will be here next week bringing you some super sweet treats! Make sure to come back next week to see what they’ve got baking for you!
And just for fun… here’s a look back at the Homecoming Ceremonies from all three of our deployments! Boy has my family changed!
Congrats!!! Loved seeing your pictures! It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done it or how many times you’ve seen it it’s just as incredible every single time! I’m so happy for you and your family, and I can’t wait to help out next week!
Thanks, Toni! It never gets easy…. no matter how long they’re gone. Thank you for your support!! xoxoxo
so, so happy for you!
So happy for you and your darling family! You are an amazing woman and my heartfelt gratitude to your husband for taking care of us by his service.
You’re so sweet for saying so, Helen. Thank you! xoxo
Oh WOW did that make me tear up! Congratulations. Can I please just take a moment to thank your husband for serving our country so honourably? THANK YOU! And thank YOU, Betsey, for your sacrifice as the wife of a soldier. We owe you a debt of gratitude, too!
Thank you for those words, Rebecca! It’s truly appreciated!
Enjoy your time away and with your family! Thank you to you and your husband for all he does for our country!
Thank you, Lisa!
I’m so happy for your family. Thanks so very, very much to your husband and your whole family for your service. Enjoy your whole family together. Blessings to you.
Thank you, Kathleen!
So happy for you and your family, Betsy! Glad to know your husband and his unit made it home safe and sound. Enjoy your time off!
Thank you, Bee!
Thank you so much for your husband and your family’s service. I grew up while my Dad was in the Air Force and few people understand that it really is the family that serves not just the person enlisted in the military. It is a hard life but full of rewards. My heart is very full of happiness for you and your family. So glad you are all together again. Enjoy your time in Europe. Our time in Europe when I was a child is some of my best memories.
You’re absolutely right, Christie…. very few understand what it’s really like to be a military family. And sometimes, that makes it harder. We’ve already been in Germany for 3 years and are hoping to stay until my daughter graduate from high school in 2018! This is definitely the best experience of my life living here! :) Thank you for your kind words!
Gah I’m sobbing. Thank you so much for serving. Thank you for being a family and serving together- it’s surely a team effort. We appreciate you.
It absolutely is! THANKS YOU for your kind words, Katrina!
YAYYYYY! I am sooo happy that he’s home! You enjoy your time! <3
We will!! xoxo
Visiting from the I Am Baker G+ group – CONGRATULATIONS!! What a feat to have made it through 3 deployments! You are superwoman! Being a military spouse is so dang hard, and I’m just starting out on this journey as mine just finished basic training and is away at tech school.
Enjoy your time with your husband – you are obviously deserving of that time!!
Hi Holly! Thanks for stopping by! :) No matter how far into this military spouse thing you are…. it’s never easy! Thanks for the kind words… and good luck with getting through tech school!! <3 I'm heading over to your blog to check it out right now!! It's great to connect with other food bloggers who also have a military connection!
CONGRATULATIONS! Thank your husband on my behalf for his service. I hope that was his last deployment. You guys need some family time and some time to enjoy life together. Best wishes!
I hope it’s his last too! :) Thank you, Mary, for your thoughtful comments!
Aww. That picture of Emily hugging her daddy almost made me tear up! So sweet. All the pictures of you guys are great. It’s nice to see people so genuinely happy and not faking it just for the pictures. :)
I really don’t know what to say. Just that I’m SO very happy for you and your family!
Thank you, Erin! :) You’re so sweet!