A Family Reunited | NAS Whidbey Island Homecoming Photographer

I am not a morning person. So when my alarm went off the morning of April 1st two hours before the scheduled homecoming I was supposed to shoot, and I quickly realized after scrolling through numerous texts and and messages that the plane was arriving in just 30 minutes... well let's say I've never moved faster before sunrise. 

I'm happy to say that I made it in time. Actually, the plane ended up coming in a bit later than planned, which gave me the opportunity to chat with Gaby and observe all the people who came up to ask her questions, give her hugs, and thank her. In the hour or so I spent with Gaby, I saw that the work she had done throughout the deployment was not only in support of her beautiful children and deployed husband, but that she had also supported so many other spouses and families at home as well.

Gaby started her squadron's Family Readiness Group (FRG) back in 2014, when she saw the command didn't have one and thought her love of serving and helping others could assist families both during and between deployments. And her efforts didn't go unnoticed, as the CO of the command stopped by to personally thank Gaby for her support of both the sailors and the families during deployment. 

When the plane landed and the families started to pour out of the hanger to find their loved ones, the fact that it was actually pouring didn't matter. The kids spotted Daddy first, and ran through the rain straight into his arms. And then it was Gaby's turn. As she ran into Joaquin's arms, he lifted her up in the air before placing her gently down and kissing his wife for the first time in six months.

Days like this make me grateful beyond words. Grateful for men and women like Joaquin, who take up the call to serve - and grateful for the support of amazing individuals like Gaby - who make the staying, waiting, and living that much easier.

Thank you Trejo family for your service. God bless you all.