We decided to have comfort food for dinner: Kraft Mac and Cheese, salad and chicken tenders. It was delicious and just what we needed.
We knew he was arriving at the base at 4:15 am the following morning. Around 8 pm Janessa called the hotline and got great news! They were running ahead of schedule and were going to be at the base at 2:15 am! We were so pumped.
Janessa started primping around 10 pm. We planned to leave at 12:45 to get there early to hang out with the other families and wives. Janessa has been volunteering and hanging out with a wives club that has been just super. I was excited to meet those ladies as they were coming out to support her when Matthew came home.
We were ready by 12:30 am and were antsy so we left early. Here is excited Janessa:
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U1Y7X8PlRr0/UhgZhogQerI/AAAAAAAAQOU/u9w7t6HafzQ/IMG_3039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
We got to the hanger a little while later. It was super cool! I was surprised by the quantity of kids that were out at 2:15 am. Not only were they out, but they were running around and having a blast.
![IMG_3043 IMG_3043](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ErHKY3K5Vso/UhgZi6uaEjI/AAAAAAAAQOk/HQANggOFkWk/IMG_3043_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3045 IMG_3045](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zQgACQin4D4/UhgZjhW_0NI/AAAAAAAAQO0/FRP_kXpBhgc/IMG_3045_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I loved all the home made signs for everyone’s loved ones:
![IMG_3064 IMG_3064](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-laSLYPQwukc/UhgZkuBTWvI/AAAAAAAAQPE/3-ZG0rFqqEI/IMG_3064_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3063 IMG_3063](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BmJUzz3ArbE/UhgZlgcLNII/AAAAAAAAQPU/86_7EHSGmfU/IMG_3063_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I even made one!
![IMG_3047 IMG_3047](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dDSPKlKYc2E/UhgZmnsT3-I/AAAAAAAAQPk/GPP6oEo9om0/IMG_3047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
There was one sign and baby that just got me. I saw a stroller approach me that said , “Outta my way…I’m MEETING my DADDY Today!” I about lost it. So I took a picture of the stroller and then I saw he baby inside. He was so sweet. Check out his onsie…
![IMG_3065 IMG_3065](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u2P5WsuyYNE/UhgZnsmru1I/AAAAAAAAQP0/noFxYrGd6oE/IMG_3065_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3066 IMG_3066](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hzVqu0Z6wZQ/UhgZocbCNYI/AAAAAAAAQQE/XSMc59Damtc/IMG_3066_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
“Welcome home Daddy. I’ve waited my whole LIFE to meet you”. Oh man. How can you not want to see that man meet his new baby son?!? Amazing.
I enjoyed the whole experienced especially so much…
![IMG_3054 IMG_3054](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DOIosE1bSSE/UhgZplwENjI/AAAAAAAAQQU/shg0KM0_O-s/IMG_3054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Janessa’s friends arrived and gave her a beautiful necklace. They were super sweet and I am so glad she has them.
![IMG_3058 IMG_3058](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JW-fb3Wfh30/UhgZqmNkbYI/AAAAAAAAQQk/jQKge9oj1-w/IMG_3058_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3061 IMG_3061](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WriUWVyg88I/UhgZrulRJQI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/KbpX8P-CsBc/IMG_3061_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
We closely watched the time. As it got closer to 2 am people started collecting in the front of the hanger.
![IMG_3083 IMG_3083](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M16f7xtxXxo/UhgZsxVeWKI/AAAAAAAAQRE/terIoRdVDAE/IMG_3083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
We were all ready. I was going to video, Janessa had her sign and the girls all had camera’s and phones ready to document the moment they found each other.
![IMG_3076 IMG_3076](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rvO92bR7WNU/UhgZt8A2UQI/AAAAAAAAQRU/RSTC_LRyTcA/IMG_3076_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3080 IMG_3080](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fhoBMA3c8Rk/UhgZu0kwozI/AAAAAAAAQRk/quUxWdoi4L0/IMG_3080_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
We were ready! Then the busses pulled up and the crowd went crazy. The guys got off the busses and lined up as the crowd cheered. What a moment…
![IMG_3081 IMG_3081](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xJGVLfwOCzw/UhgZvoq0oDI/AAAAAAAAQR0/u8WJTomtpQk/IMG_3081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3082 IMG_3082](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sFSsmscnpYs/UhgZxYHaZmI/AAAAAAAAQSE/EhRjbTSjy14/IMG_3082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
and then the buses pulled away…(get ready to tear up a bit)
Formations...
Matthew and Janessa's actual meeting:
After taking the video, I snapped a few more pictures…
![IMG_3092 IMG_3092](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tXrqGWcsWjY/UhgZytl0IEI/AAAAAAAAQSU/xV6RNu9QW2E/IMG_3092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![IMG_3093 IMG_3093](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FPtnsOatnPg/UhgZzd_kTgI/AAAAAAAAQSk/zjfbaRqb2MM/IMG_3093_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Then I got my hugs and Matt got to enjoy my sign…
![IMG_3103 IMG_3103](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f5p4ELcwDaI/UhgZ0maF5KI/AAAAAAAAQS0/M8MfjfmXUYA/IMG_3103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
It was an unexplainable experience. I loved seeing all the families find their loved ones.
![IMG_3095 IMG_3095](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DvgkwFyJF0k/UhgZ1p907yI/AAAAAAAAQTE/ufPNrsyp0uU/IMG_3095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
From there we got all his gear and drove home. It was about 4:30 am when we arrived. I went inside to video Matthew and Janessa’s puppies reacting to seeing Matthew for the first time in 8 months.
Check it out tomorrow :)
Love and Hugs, Lizzie
I have no words except to say what an absolutely amazing experience. I am so glad you got to be a part of it. So happy for Janessa and Matt, and that baby's onesie and sign just about did me in.
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