Brittany Morgan Photography: {C Family Homecoming Story} Central Texas Photographer

As most of you know, I've been itching to shoot a homecoming for weeks now! It's been awhile since my last one and I am SO happy that I have a few booked for this month!

Last evening was a perfect night for a homecoming, and definitely the largest one I've been to- THIRTEEN buses full of soldiers came home.

I'm sure that many who read my blog know what it's like to attend a military homecoming- but if you don't- make sure to put it on your bucket list. Doesn't matter is you have someone coming home or not, at many homecomings, I find myself wiping tears away right alongside my clients.

For those of you who haven't had the experience, I'm going to try to explain in words what an incredible experience it is.

Most homecomings are on a large field, and friends & family gather to wait anxiously for the "WE JUST LANDED!" text messages from their loves ones. You can literally feel the anticipation and the excitement. Everyone has special signs, shirts, outfits, & balloons.

Did I mention the sky last night was incredible??!

The anticipation continues to build for everyone as it is announced that the soldiers are on the buses and on their way over! In the case of this homecoming story- THIRTEEN buses were on their way to us! People start to gather in a huge semi circle, leaving a large space in the middle of the field for the soldiers to march in. I love looking around to see all the excitement. My heart is beating faster along with Amanda's. She's waiting for four important words, "The buses are here!"


The amount of people that surround the field on three sides!

And then, the crowd roars as a military police car drives down the road in front of the field. Slowly following behind him are thirteen buses. Knowing your soldier is on one of those buses is an absolutely unexplainable feeling.

The crowd waits impatiently as the soldiers get off the buses. In these moments it seems like the seconds are ticking by so slowly. Over the loud speaker, someone asks the crowd to join in shouting "MOVE THOSE BUSES!" As the buses drive away, the crowd continues to get louder. For a brief moment it seems like no one is there.

And then, out of the darkness, over 300 soldiers march into the light- the first time the crowd is getting a glimpse of their soldiers in over nine months and three weeks. There is a rush to the front of the crowd as people strain to find their loved ones amongst the formation.

As a small speech & prayer are said, tears flow freely throughout the crowd. So many raw emotions are encompassed into such a small amount of time. Anticipation, nervousness, relief.

And after what seems like forever, there is a shout over the loud speakers that Amanda has been waiting for for over 260 days. "SOLDIERS DISMISSED!" With that, pandemonium breaks loose as the crowd runs forward frantically to find their loved one. Amanda luckily has a tall husband, she spotted him almost right away, and took off running.

This is the moment where your whole entire world comes back together. Nothing matters except that fact that your solider is home and you are in his arms. He is home safe. You want to hold on and never let go.