By Traci Maloney
Contributor

Waiting for the moment I get to run into my husband’s arms for the first time after deployment is magical.

There is always so much anticipation and anxiousness a week prior to homecoming — wait, who are we kidding? More like a whole month prior.

So many emotions are running through my head.

What is he going to look like? Is he going to recognize me? Will he like my dress?

How am I going to kiss him when he walks off the ship?

I have to look stunning for homecoming day, and I always know I can turn to Unique Vintage to get a gorgeous dress, not to mention getting 10% off just by using ID.me at the checkout is awesome. It’s so rewarding, especially after being alone for months at a time and not being able to see your spouse — or even hear their voice. It’s hard.

All I want is to feel his arms around me and hold me tight.

No matter how many deployments we have been through I always get butterflies in my stomach waiting to see him walk off the ship and onto the pier.

You would think we were meeting to go out on our first date!

The moment I finally see him in the crowd of sailors walking off that ship and his feet touching that pier and he sees me and I see him? It’s incredible. We both have a smile on our face from ear to ear. I can’t help but run into his arms! I am overwhelmed with emotions of happiness, love and relief all at the same time.

Most the time I cry because I am so relieved that he made it home. We can be a family again. Plus, I have my best friend back. And my children can have their daddy home.

***

As I sit here typing this up I can’t help but tear up knowing that my husband will be leaving again soon on deployment and I will be waiting for the day I just mentioned all over again. I will be anxiously waiting for those butterflies in my stomach, to buy another homecoming dress, to run into his arms.

I am never ready to say “see you later”.

I am not ready to send my husband pictures of all the holidays and celebrations that he will miss, to explain to my children all the time why daddy can’t come home yet. I know this is what he has to do, not for just our family but for many other families that live in our beautiful, free country. Living overseas really has opened my eyes to not only different challenges but new things.

So many people always tell me, “I don’t know how you do it.” But, really it’s not about me, it’s about my husband who is serving our country — the one who is standing the watch so others don’t have to. The least I can do is support him, to take care of our family and for him to know that we are taken care so he can do what he is relied upon to do. At the same time, I will always be ready to say, “Welcome Home”!

Honestly? That day can’t come soon enough.