'The first thing I want to do...'

When reunions are getting ready to take place, there is always the thought of what the first thing you want to do is.  This is handled a little differently on each end. 

The soldier doesn't worry about what they are going to wear since their uniform is the required outfit for the day, so their minds tend to drift to other things.  For those that are married and/or have children, they imagine their spouse or kids running into their arms and that first embrace.  For the single soldiers, they tend to think of getting free time where they can relax and watch TV or just making a simple trip to the store without having a battle buddy and without worrying about clearing a weapon before you go inside.  For a soldier, this is the moment they have looked forward to since the day they left, but also the moment that they have tried to keep out of their mind as much as possible so they can focus on the mission.

For those at home, this moment has been anticipated since they last held their soldier.  The moment that makes all the waiting worth while.  The planning for a homecoming starts weeks ahead of time with either ordering banners or getting the supplies to make your own.  There is also finding the perfect outfit, which isn't going to really matter to the soldier anyway, but it has to be just right.  You start counting down the days even though the actual arrival date will shift at least a day or two if not more.  After all the waiting, you finally get the call - they are on their way.  Emotions start going crazy now - since you know your soldier is really coming home.  Last minute house cleaning and picking up starts and you start your backwards planning from the time you have to be at the redeployment ceremony.  Even though it seems like time is getting away from you because you still have so much to do, it also feels like every second on the clock is taking forever.  A few hours out and another call comes in, they are delayed for a multitude of possible reasons, but they won't be here today.  Tomorrow another call and the whole process starts over again, but now you are actually standing in the building or on the parade field where you and your soldier are going to be reunited.  Now time is standing still - you have waited the last four, six, 12 or even 15 months for this and it's hard to believe it's really happening. 

The doors open or the bus moves and a group of soldiers marches in and you feel like your heart is going to jump out of your chest.  Anxiously, you scan the group until you find your soldier.  The funny thing is, the soldier is feeling butterflies as they have waited for those doors to open or for that bus to move for just as long.  Now they are marching and scanning, looking for their family and friends.  The speaker welcomes the soldiers home, then proceeds to give what seems like the longest speech ever before calling the soldiers to attention and then giving the command dismissed.  The soldier and the family both run to meet those they have longed for and in that moment, everything is right again.