MLP photographer Virginia Dow on military homecomings:  

I. LOVE. HOMECOMINGS. I mean, they are right up there with births. Witnessing the reunion of a family that has been apart for months at a time is emotional, intimate, and raw. The nervous excitement is palpable. All the moments missed, video calls, late lonely nights are all worth it at the first embrace. I've lost count on how many I've captured, but every single one has been a privilege and know that in these pure moments, we as photographers are receiving the honor of sharing those emotions with you and preserving them forever. 

Back in January, before the 20th Bomb Squadron (BS) and Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) deployed, Ashlie had contacted me about capturing her husband's homecoming. He hadn't even left yet, but she knew that after 6 long months, the moments of their reunion needed to be documented. I'm always honored when another military spouse reaches out for images of any kind. We have a camaraderie of knowing what the other is going through without having known each other really. Ashlie kept me up to date as best as she could as to when her hubby would be coming home. Another joy of military life: nothing- and I mean NOTHING- is set in stone. It's not uncommon to be given 5+ different dates and times and even the days and hours leading up to the actual homecoming can change drastically. 

We all finally had dates. And I say we because MY husband was also coming home from this deployment as well, but he came in the last wave and Candace will be telling you more about that. And dates is plural because I tried to be at multiple homecomings. I missed the first wave, but childcare is a little harder to come by when your spouse is still deployed and all your friends are the ones welcoming their heroes home! The second wave is the one Ashlie's husband was in and it was the biggest one because it had the majority of the personnel that had deployed. Multiple men, women, and children were waiting in the hot, mid-afternoon Louisiana heat, but that didn't stop Ashlie and her daughter Ellie from looking absolutely adorable while waiting for Daddy to get home. 

Then we finally got to see his jet come in and land! The moments from landing until the sight of your person sometimes seem longer than the deployment itself, but slowly we watched people de-planing and finally we saw him in the distance and Ashlie and Ellie separated themselves from the crowd. And then I watched as a family became whole again. 

That evening, the third wave was due to come in and I was able to line up some childcare last minute to witness some of my personal friends welcoming home their spouses. I really like photographing the fliers because its always so cool to be near the monstrous bombers my husband gets to fly. That and this time the fliers were coming home at the end of golden hour so it was pretty much a photographer's dream scenario. I even asked one of the commanders if they could repeat the circumstances the following week for my husband's homecoming. HA! 

We were able to watch the jets come in and do a flyover while they set up for landing and then they bussed the families out to the jets. That's when the magic started and I couldn't snap fast enough! I caught as many families reuniting as I could and I loved all of it. These families, these people I get to go on this journey with, are so strong. Seeing them welcome home their fliers geared me up for welcoming mine home too! Make sure you keep reading to see all the beauty Candace makes my family out to be and welcome home 20th BS and AMU! 

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MLP photographer Candace on MLP photographer Virginia's military homecoming:

I had the privilege of capturing our own Virginia's homecoming moment and I am just struck with her STRENGTH as well as so many mamas like her who hold the fort at home while deployments stretch on for months at a time.  The service men and women themselves are certainly heroic and brave but so are those they leave at home. 

This image really got me because that's when the flip flop came off and a nose needed wiping and that's also when Virginia teared up.  

She didn't say it, but I can imagine it was because she knew she wasn't alone anymore.  She had him back and the gratitude and joy of it all was overwhelming in the midst of caring for two little people.  

I have the highest respect and admiration for these incredible people and I will always be thankful I was able to capture these moments and tell this story.  We love you Virginia!