Monday, Just 31st 3:09 PM - we finally had an official homecoming date and time.
At any given time during deployment, I could rattle off the theoretical number of days, hours, and in some cases minutes or seconds until homecoming. It was theoretical because the Air Force simply does not like to pre-plan dates for neurotic wives such as myself. Then, to top off the anticipation, the entire group of guys got stranded in Kuwait for a few days during the journey home because the entire crew had food poisoning. Patience is not my greatest strength, nor is it Luke's. Every five seconds he asked, "Mom, let's go to airport!! Get daddy!!".
Just when I thought we might lose our minds from anticipation, it was time.
My dad always says that anticipation is the most fun part of a trip or an event, and in this case, that was partly true. My friend, Tammy, made the kids the most perfect shirts. Luke's said, "He's not just my daddy, he's my hero." The girls' shirts said, "He is my hero, and I am his princess". Autumn, our nanny helped the kids make posters. Neighbors coordinated dinner so we wouldn't have to think about food during his first days home. Friends, our babysitters, neighbors, and members from the squadron gathered from around town for the Godinez airport party.
In true Godinez fashion, things took a turn for the crazy when we attracted the attention of a news crew. When we explained Claire's surprise, I was suddenly getting a mic strapped to my shirt by a news crew so they could catch the homecoming moment on camera.
"He's here! We see him!!," everyone started shouting. There he finally was at the top of the escalator, coming down to see us.
"Go Claire, GO!!!!", our babysitters and I coaxed.
And off she went. Luke beat her, of course, screaming, "DADDDDDYYYYYY!!!!" and leaping into Patrick's arms. But after we stopped Patrick in his tracks, she inched forward in her walker to see him.
No one was carrying her. No one was helping her balance. And it was captured by the news crew.
I love homecoming pictures and videos, even when I don't know the family. In fact, I have probably spent an embarrassing amount of time watching them and crying. There is no more beautiful moment than a family throwing their arms around a loved ones after months separated by deployment.
Claire's moment is no different. Her video has been viewed over 250,000 times, and it was on the news in 13 states (that we know of).
The anticipation was fun, but the moment was absolutely perfect.
Claire's News Story
Count down Mama!
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