Welcome Home

The phone rang, my mother answered in anticipation of Deanna calling.  On most nights, chances are it would be an unwanted solicitor.  But my mother quickly responded to the caller, “You’re on the Betsy Ross Bridge?  Ok, see you soon!”  As she hung up the phone, she smiled to the house filled with immediate family, “Deanna will be here any minute.”   The time had finally come for Deanna to return home, after 8 months of serving our country in the United States Navy.

But this wasn’t any normal homecoming, Deanna was being driven by her fiancee surrounded by police cars driven by volunteers from the Plymouth Township Police Department, my step Dad, and a member of the PA State Police.  Something all of the police offers did voluntairly to welcome home a United States Veteran!  As my neices and nephews lined the window peering out into the street, my step sister started the video camera and I stepped outside to get a better look down the street. 

Once the blue and red lights rounded the corner, Deanna being reunited with her daughter Olivia was only seconds away.  In my 30 years on this Earth, I personally have never seen anything like this police escort.  It was the perfect story book ending.  Deanna ran out of the car and ran right past me on the porch right into Olivia’s arms.  Tears filled Deanna’s eyes as she told Olivia how much she loves her and missed her.  My mom was directly behind them opposite me, with tears in her eyes said, “Welcome home, Deanna!”  Well everything happens in 3′s, so it was my turn to cry. I’m not afraid to admit, I was overcome with emotion. 

Thank you everyone who has supported my family and Deanna when she was overseas by sending packages and notes of encouragement.  As a side note,  I came home to the family eating with the kids before Deanna and the exitement started.  Not knowing my options, I saw the dessert first and couldn’t help but reach for a brownie.  Much to my surprise, I got scolded and yelled at by my mom who said, “Go in the other room and eat something healthy first!  No cookies.”   Even at 30, she didn’t want me to spoil my appetite, how cute.