When United States Army Sergeant Zach Shryock found out he would be one of the few soldiers allowed to come home early from a deployment in Afghanistan, he suddenly knew he wouldn’t miss the most important thing to ever happen to he or his wife, Brittany.

The birth of their first child.

Originally scheduled to not arrive back until a month after their baby daughter Myra was to be born, the stroke of scheduling luck was nothing short of a godsend.

Plus, Brittany’s due date was still five weeks after Zach was to arrive back in the states, according to his revised orders.

Due dates, however, aren’t guarantees, and suddenly the soldier found himself racing a clock to be there with his wife during delivery. In other words, Myra was ready to see the world.

This, on Shryock’s quest to get back, from Babble:

Zach started his long journey home from Afghanistan, making stops in Kuwait, Turkey, and Germany. Then it was on to Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, and Kansas.

The morning Zach reached Charlotte, NC, Brittany’s water broke. She went into labor at 5:45 AM, and was steadily progressing.

Upon hearing the news, and within minutes of boarding his next flight, Zach scrambled to change his travel plans. He booked the next flight to Atlanta, and then proceeded to pace the airport while he waited to fly back to Brittany. At this point, she was dilated to 5 centimeters.

He was nearly home free, when one of the planes on the runway hit a deer, causing an hour and a half delay. No sooner was the runway cleared for Zach’s plane to take off.

With the long delays, Brittany didn’t think he would make it. She was dilated to a 10 before his plane even left the ground, and (as any woman who’s been in labor can attest to) it was beyond difficult to wait. Reluctantly, she started pushing.

When Zach touched down in Atlanta, he raced to a friend who was waiting in a car at the airport. They sped to Piedmont Newnan, and when they got there the CEO of the hospital along with other staff guided the service member to his wife in labor.

Through hallways full of applause and balloons, Zach made it, just in time.

“All of the hospital staff was in tears. He was able to see and feel my pregnant belly for a few moments before it was time to push,” said Brittany.

A half hour later, Myra Grace was born, healthy and happy, at five pounds, seven ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

“I have not seen my wife in six months, and seeing her for the first time — laying on the bed and getting ready to have our daughter … my heart stopped. I have never seen anyone more beautiful in my life.”