Homecomings always hold a special place in my heart; because of my fulltime schedule at my day job I don’t get to do them as often as I would like.  Michelle contacted me months ago to make sure that she had someone out there, with about 10 changes in dates and times her patience was thin but finally the day was here.   Daddy left for deployment when his princess was two months old so for the first time he was going to see his personality filled little girl instead of the baby he left behind.  Waiting in the heat and trying to entertain a 10 month old Michelle and her mother in law were beyond excited for this reunion.

We took lots of photos while we waited of this Marine’s two beautiful girls!

Then the moment is announced; they are on their way to the meeting site.  The anticipation and giddiness grows; we are all watching to see when you can see the marching Marines coming your way.  This Marine made it easy to spot him as he carried a black case and a teddy bear peeking out of his pack that he needed to return to his daughter!  It’s almost like all the months melt into that one moment; he’s home, he’s safe, and I can touch him.  Michelle had anticipated this moment from the very time she said goodbye.  And his mother I can only imagine felt the relief of knowing he was finally safe and again on American soil.

These homecomings are full of emotion and happiness yet when this Marine left his daughter was only months old so it reality that in those first moments she is unaware of what has happened and who is so excited to see her but in my amazement it wasn’t long before she was watching him, staring at him and smiling like she had figured it out; simply the best thing to capture!

For a few minutes, the world stands still and you are whole again.  Even with a stranger acting like paparazzi :).  Welcome home Marine and congratulations Perrow family!

If you want to capture your homecoming or moments like these contact Memories by Tasha Photography!