:: Happy Birthday Homecoming ::

Fair warning...these pics may make you teary. Yep...it's another Operation: Love ReUnited homecoming!!! This amazing couple was married one month before he deployed. ONE MONTH. Let that sink in for a moment. Can you even imagine?? Crazy.

So his plane was SUPPOSED to come in around midnight last night. Apparently the weather in Dallas had other plans. Delay, delay, delay. D.E.L.A.Y. Finally, at about 3am, this wonderful couple was reunited and it was incredibly sweet. And yes, I got teary too. I just can't help myself!! And...the cherry on top? Today is his lovely bride's birthday. So even though she had to wait through the agonizing delays, she got the perfect birthday present...her new husband back in her arms!

**The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense**

she was such a trooper!!

for those of you who are wondering, this wait is excruciatingly long

SHE SEES HIM

fighting the urge to run straight through security is impossibly difficult

he's here!!

go ahead, you can cry too

so sweet

that moment when the rest of the world disappears

so happy!!

guess who else is celebrating a birthday today...her twin sister who came along for support :)

slapshot...

...Growing up in upstate NY (Schenectady to be exact) I learned to love hockey at a young age. My father was (and still is) a professor at Union College and I LOVED going to the games. Loved. As in obsessed!! By the age of 9 I could tell you which players played on which line and, although a pretty quiet and timid child, I had a tendency to let the refs know when they blew a call. I still have several years worth of signed programs and even a broken stick from one of my favorite players. I can still rattle off several of the players' names and numbers...obsessed. So when my aunt told me about a charity hockey event that she wanted me to go to with her I jumped all over it. Hockey AND charity...how could it get any better?? I'll tell you how...there were 3 teams that played a 30 minute period each against the Washington Capitals Alumni team. Names like Peter Bondra, Alan May, Sylvain Cote and Yvon Labre were on the program. Impressive! Now to the even better part...the first period was played by USA Warriors Ice Hockey...a team comprised of US Military personnel wounded in defense of our country. They are set up solely for charitable and educational purposes. You should check out their WEBSITE ... truly inspiring. The second group was the USNA Alumni team and the 3rd team was Firefighters & Police Lines. All of these wonderful people were there raising money to fight childhood cancer and multiple sclerosis. Amazing!!! 

before the games started there was a scrimmage between two kids' teams: The Baltimore Saints and the Washington Ice Dogs. The Caps Alumni players were on the ice with them, helping them every step of the way. Really neat to watch!

like I said, these guys are amazing

this man skates with TWO prosthetics. Two. How inspiring is that?!?!

During an intermission there was a quick game for the "older" set. These teams are comprised of players over the age of 55 and let me tell you, they can move!!! AND, there was a woman on one of the teams! LOVE IT!! By the way, the name of one of the teams is the Geri-Hat-Tricks...

then it was Navy's turn

watching players like Peter Bondra play was so incredible. They truly do love the game and make it look completely effortless. They skate better than I walk!

this fan was NOT impressed

and then the firefighters and policemen had their shot