You meet. You fall in love. You get married. You have children. You love. It sounds like a familiar story. But then you add a twist. Because in the middle of it all, he leaves. Because he has committed to serving his country. To putting others before family and self so that those others may live.
And it matters.
For the family that waits, life happens while he was gone; the youngest child went from a 6 week old infant to a little smiling person, the oldest son lost his front tooth, the wife had to juggle three boys and a household and a life, standing strong while doing that.
But it doesn’t matter.
Because when, God willing, he returns, they are whole again. And can carry on. Loving. And living. Until the next time he goes. So that others may live. But for now, we cry happy tears.
And welcome home our heroes.
