Welcome Home Marine!

Welcome Home Marine!

This story begins on September 16th at 8am… Like any other excited wife, I was rushing around the house to get everything done, cleaned up, washed — you name it. My husband was going to be home that day at 1430, and even if he did not notice how the house looked, I still wanted it perfect.

I grab a shower, make some breakfast and continue cleaning again. As noon SLOWLY approached… My neighbor and I decided to go out into town to pick up a few things before my husband arrived — maybe to help time pass and to calm me down. As we were out, I get this call on my cell phone from a strange number — thinking it was Caleb while he was waiting for his next flight, I picked it up and answered it.

I was half right. It was Caleb, but he was calling me to tell me: “Honey, I’m home! Where are you?” Panic stricken — I rushed my neighbor back into the car and I thought I was going to have a heart attack driving back to the base. I had my ID out and ready, tapping it on the steering wheel, frantically trying to move through traffic. I kept looking in the mirror, trying to see what I looked like, fixing my hair because it was just — not where I wanted it. Nothing had gone according to plan (courtesy of Marines). They arrived an hour, yes, an HOUR ahead of schedule and did not put it on the hot line until 15 minutes before they arrived.

For once, Marines are early!! Usually they’re late a few hours or even days…

Once I had finally made it on base, and heading towards the 115 hanger, traffic got congested. Apparently I wasn’t the only wife who had the same issue. Everyone and their brother was trying to get in. Once I got through the gate, I rushed to the parking lot, parked and sprinted towards the hanger. Once I got there, I began to search… and search… and search some more. Ten minutes later — I see him. In an open area with some friends. We saw each other at the same time, and I bolted towards him, jumped into his arms, nearly knocking him to the ground. I kissed him, hugged him, and started to cry because I was so happy. I had waited 7 LONG months to finally be in his arms again, and for once in those 7 months, it wasn’t a dream. It was REAL! He is finally home!!!

Though that day did not go according to plan — it still happened. I didn’t get to wear the dress or shoes that I had picked out, instead I was wearing a tank top and shorts with my flip flops and hair in a pony-tail — it wasn’t what I had pictured in my mind. But running into his arms — I didn’t care what I was wearing — just that he was home and we were finally together again.

Thank you Sgt. Grit for all of your wonderful products and the newsletters you send out.

Sincerely PROUD Marine Wife to LCpl. Caleb Mudge who is SAFELY back home!!!!!!!!!
Alexa

“Distance is not for the fearful, it’s for the bold. For those willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It’s for those who know a good thing when they see it, even if they don’t see it nearly enough…”