I got the opportunity to do a shoot a few weeks ago in San Diego, Ca. It was a Homecoming. About 15 years ago Homecoming would have meant getting an oversized mum and going to a Brewer Bear football game and pretending to watch it. Really all I was watching was the other girls to make sure my Homecoming mum was the most colossally ugly contraption in the place. Today my definition of Homecoming has a deeper meaning indeed. Because of this beautiful family I have learned a deeper, more meaningful definition of Homecoming.
After over a year of not seeing her wonderful husband, Dawn anxiously awaited the arrival of her proud Marine Corps husband, Robert. She was figity all day. At one point she said she felt like she could puke! Robert had been in Afghanistan and had not really been able to talk to Dawn or his three sons much at all over the last eight months.
I drove to San Diego to the Burge's house to meet with Dawn and her three handsome boys: Preston, Austin, and Bubby (Robert Jr.). There was an ansty feeling throughout the house. As the minutes turned to hours I began to feel their anticipation. I was ready to see Robert!
I took the mommy and three boys to a nearby park and we took some pictures before we went to the base to pick up Robert. It kept em' busy for a minute!
When we got to the base we waited for about an hour for the bus bring them from a nearby base to arrive. YES, more waiting!!! Only this time it was Dawn and the boys times about 50! All the beautiful wives, mothers, siblings, and children waiting for their loved ones to come home. It was surreal and I was so very proud to be there on that day and to have gained even further appreciation for the men and women who risk their lives everyday proudly serving our country.
Thank you Robert, Dawn, Preson, Ausin, and Bubby for your service and sacrifice. God Bless the United States of America. Now that is the true meaning of Homecoming.
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