welcoming a soldier home from war. a cousin's camera phone perspective.

i didn't have many plans for the weekend on friday afternoon.  i knew the week ahead was busy, but the weekend in between was all fluffy clouds and fantasies of sleeping in. sterling was coming home and we planned to celebrate on monday, but the logistics of his arrival never crossed my mind.

... not until i saw a facebook post from uncle larry {who, by the way, is the greatest uncle of all the world's uncles} that reminded me he was in utah.  we arranged plans in no time, and my weekend was instantly booked with cousin time {who, by the way, are the greatest cousins of all the world's cousins} and homecoming planning + partying. 

come saturday evening, we were eating mexican food and discussing which direction the stars would whoosh on the welcome home posters we would make for his arrival.

when we arrived at the military hangar, my outsides followed direction and did what i was told but my insides were reverent with patriotism, soaking in the diligence and hard work by those we were awaiting... and the massive support and love by the hundreds and hundreds who surrounded me.  i was just a cousin... there were people there for whom this meant so much more - who ached more, prayed more, worried more.  and the hour ahead was going to be that much more gratifying and joyous for them.  the amount of love + anticipation + good spirits felt in that room was enough that i could reach to the air and grab it.

and then he came home.

two photos in, the juice in my nikon died. i defaulted to my camera phone.
i'm not apologetic one bit for the ridiculous number of pictures i took.  there was so much that was special about that day.

larger than life thank you's plastered the walls.

we sat patiently in rows of folding chairs facing the inside doors of the hangar. and then they announced the plane would arrive a half hour early.

it was as good as merry christmas to the moms, wives, girlfriends, and cousins - of course.

and then they opened the doors.

where we were greeted by two solid, respectable air force planes. 

the homecoming scene wasn't as new to some as it was for me...

balloons + some army rock banders... who sang all american classics.

SO MANY hours spent shopping, planning, changing + perfecting "the outfit"

homemade posters.  this one with glitter and ribbon and balloons.  i bet the mom + kid combo had thebest time making this one at the kitchen table.

army vets lined the runway with american flags.

hundreds of anxious and happy people.

we traded in the folding chairs for a front of the line upgrade.

sweet babies all over the place.

new babies... there's no way that one's old enough to have met its daddy.

the kiddies posed for photos with heroes.

welcome home sterling. ready and waiting.

this little girl was ready and waiting too.

little brother christian waiting for his big brother.

and then the plane arrived and we all peed our pants a little bit.

that's a happy family.

"you're the best one in your row" is the ultimate compliment in this family and we figured that if ever there was a certainty of standing in a row, it was in the military.  and sterling was definitely the best one in his row. we know it.

i always seek out the klass.

the actual arrival is a mess of thrill and adreneline, but somehow he arrived in our arms and by our side.

lots of hugs.

we hugged and hugged and didn't let go.  lots of man hugs, even.

that's it.  the 118th sapper boys.

dads were meeting their babies everywhere we turned.

news cameras everywhere.

i couldn't get enough of the daddy/daughter combo. sweet.

like i said, the happiness was thick in the air.

baby camo.

baby camo everywhere.

and where does a soldier go for an american experience?  the sizzler.

i loved this day and this experience.  god bless america and all the ones who protect it.