As you know, I LOVE shooting homecomings. I wish I could shoot them more. Like every day. Over the past year or so I've shot quite a few homecomings, but yesterday was super special.
I have been patiently waiting for a soldier to come home and surprise their child...and that was yesterday!
There's something about seeing a mother and daughter reunite that absolutely melts my heart.
I was SO excited when Britanee's mom contacted me to shoot a very special homecoming. The plan? For her mom to pick her up at the airport, and then for the three of us to head over to Britanee's daughter's school to pick her up and surprise her! Her daughter thought that Britanee still had a few more months in Afghanistan---little did she know--- as she was starting class yesterday morning, Britanee's plane was landing at Killeen Airport!
Airport homecomings are a little different than Army homecomings...but the excitement is still the same. The waiting, the focusing on the blue board on the wall...the intense looks out onto the runway waiting for plane to land! And finally, amidst smiles & tears, the plane finally lands. Friends and family gather outside the gate waiting for the first glimpse of their loved one.
Britanee did not know I was there to take pictures of her homecoming...!
Finally you glimpse your soldier (in this case, your airman), and you are finally able to wrap your arms around them and know that they're safe. You don't really have that sense until they are there with you.
One of my favorite things to see is the service person's smiles. They are SO big. I can't imagine traveling as long as they have- I would be a grumpy ball of "I need sleep." But no. They are smiling, crying, hugging, laughing. The sense of relief & happiness- it's hard to put into words. After waiting for her bags, we got in our cars for the big surprise!
We went into the school office and Britanee's mom went to check Rem'Niere out of class. Britanee and I waited anxiously outside! Soon we saw them through the glass doors.
Tears were streaming down Rem'Niere's face...she didn't understand why Grandma was taking her out of school! She wanted to stay. All of a sudden, mom jumps out from behind the column and goes- "hey you!"
When this little girl looked up, it was the most incredible face I have ever seen. You saw surprise, recognition, excitement, joy, disbelief, love run through her face. She let out a small yelp and took off full speed towards her mom.
Mom was there ready to catch her. And she didn't let go.
Showing her mom a sweet quilt that was made for her to have while her mom was gone!
She was so sweet, she wanted to show mommy everything- you could just feel her excitement. She was especially excited to show her mommy her coloring book, "My mommy fights for freedom."
Thank you SO much for letting me there to capture these special moments for you, and thank you to all our military who make the sacrifices to be away from their loved ones and families to keep us safe.
