Homecomings.

There have been some fantastic unit homecomings in the grand USCG this past week. I love homecomings. I am a sucker for them. They don't even have to involve me.

What can I say? I'm a hopelessly sappy romantic.

I hope everyone enjoys their reconnecting and makes the most of every moment. As we all know, the times between homecomings and subsequent deployments often goes all too quick.

One of my favorite homecoming was when my oldest daughter was six months old. Dad left when she was just about 3 months old. Now, for any of you parents out there, you know how quickly a new baby can change in a three month time period. Dad came home and was over the moon with his growing baby girl. She really had no idea who he was at that point, but the reunion was still momentous for us as a family. We realized that our life was about to change more than we expected.

I know two Coastie families just this past weekend who welcomed new babies. While I'm excited for them, my heart is a little blue because I know the dads will be waving goodbye in the all too near future as the moms are at home with the precious bundles.

You can endure times apart and you certainly miss your loved ones when they are gone, but you throw a kid in the mix and it's a whole new ball game. They grow so quickly and often the deploying parent misses not only holidays and birthdays, but also significant milestones.

In my family, we do our best update my man in blue via email and with photos when he's underway so he still feels included. We are very fortunate. I can remember days when the only communicating was done through snail mail. So, yes, I am thankful for technology.

Regardless of technology though, my man in blue is saddened by all he misses. His little ones are too. It's not an easy life. I will say, the kids have been resilient for the most part, but sometimes I think they are just putting on a brave face for mom who misses their daddy so much too.

I know that my husband is going to miss some pretty big life moments for us this year. Still, I am already looking forward to the homecomings and how I can make each one special for all of us.