The longest days of deployment

As you read this I am spending some quality time with the hubby, for the first time in about 8 months. I am writing this prior to his homecoming ceremony because between his return and Thanksgiving, I may not be able to blog for a few days. But while I’m sure there are a lot of emotions going through my head right now as I hug and kiss him for the first time in what feels like forever, the days leading up to it were loong. So looooong.

I heard from my husband when he left his FOB (forward operating base) about a week before he was slated to arrive home. I knew he’d be at a hub in Afghanistan for a bit before flying out of the country to sit for another few days. And then fly home with at least one layover in between. I just kept waiting for the official call. The call to tell me “yes he is on this flight and he will be home at this day and time.” I knew it would come about 2-3 days in advance. But three days until the end of his window I started to freak out. I needed to know. I didn’t care that there were some heavy weather delaying flights. I wanted to know. I wanted some sort of confirmation, even though he had told me he was still on that flight.

I got in touch with my FRG leader to confirm that no call had gone out. I felt like I was going crazy, and paranoid, all about his returning home. I found out that the official call hadn’t gone out. So I waited. And waited. I had all these plans to do when I got the call: hang up the signs at home, make the sign to hold when I see him. Finish up laundry. Last minute final touches. By the time came through I had a full day and a half (minus sleep time) to prep. It was really plenty of time, as I did start doing some of this before the call. But the call symbolized, to me, that the light was really at the end of the tunnel.

Then I got anxious, like the good anxious, kid the night before Christmas anxious. I didn’t sleep well, but not because I was worried, like most of the deployment, but because I could not wait to see him! And I kept thinking about how I had stuff to do. Could I pick up the turkey early? What steak should I buy? What should that sign say?

And the last full day, I started to get butterflies. Butterflies! It had been a long time since I had those, but thinking about seeing his face in a few hours just made me feel all bubbly, in a good way. It made all the questions about what time, what would happen when he lands, and our plans for the day go away. Sure I felt a bit bombarded but I knew that soon it would just be us and that’ll be the best.

Needless to say I think there will be a nap at some point today. But it’ll be even more glorious because he’s home. Home sweet home. Catch you next week blogosphere and have a Happy Thanksgiving!