In the days leading up to T’s move, the anticipation was building up. At times, however, I still didn’t feel like it was really happening. It all felt too good to be true–too surreal. But on Sunday, I realized it was the real deal. Exactly 1,291 days into Our Story and 207 days since we’d last seen each other, our long distance days would come to an end. I was excited, nervous, overjoyed, and anxious. I wanted the time to come already. I tried napping but couldn’t so I started getting ready early.
On the way to the airport, I looked out the window and my thoughts immediately went back to the beginning to a drive we took as T was dropping me at the bus station in Virginia. How we’d come full circle. The excitement and nervousness was building up.
Our photographer, Amber of Endlessly Photography, explained what happened at the airport perfectly:
“Last night, just after midnight, I captured my very first Welcome Them Home military homecoming at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. I had been waiting to do one of these sessions for quite a few months, so I was very excited to get the request. I am happy to say everything went wonderfully and it was a surreal, incredible experience.
While Jacqueline and I waited for Tim’s plane to arrive, we stood near the escalators and chatted away. It was interesting to see how many characters and how “alive” the airport still was, even after midnight. Many travelers stopped to congratulate her or inquire as to what we were even doing, and we even had a small crowd form behind us to wait with us. Once he finally made his way down the escalator… it was magic.
The crowd (and people passing by) clapped and cheered, the happy couple embraced, and it was a moment I will never EVER forget. As we collected their bags and made our way to their taxi, people stopped and welcomed Tim home – thanking him for his service and shaking his hand.”
For now Amber has only shown previews of photos of me waiting, cleverly leaving us in anticipation of the photos of his arrival. I can’t put into words how I truly felt–and still feel knowing there won’t be anymore long-term distance but I will say it feels amazing.
