I was honored when my friend Jessamyn asked me to come take pictures of
her husband's homecoming from an 11 month deployment.
What an incredible way to spend a Saturday morning.
We waited in the hanger for what seemed like forever-
There were kids dressed in red, white and blue, balloons, banners,
a big brass band playing in the corner, news crews, wives dressed gorgeous
and sweet children excited to see their daddies.
We waited and waited, and then finally the plane landed.
I think it's safe to say everyone had chills and lumps in their throats as
the plane pulled full circle in front of the hanger where we were all watching.
The crowd of family members and friends pushed forward to get as close to the plane as they would allow.
Then, the first man stepped onto the stairs coming down from the plane
and the crowd burst into an uproar of excitement- screams and sobs
and the brothers next to me started to cheer "USA! USA!" raising their fists in the air.
Finally, after 11 months apart, the Barnette family was back together again.
It was a very touching experience, one I'll never forget.
They hugged and laughed and just stared at each other, smiling. It was wonderful.
Thank you Brian and Jessamyn for the sacrifices you've made for our country!
I'm so grateful for you and it was such an honor and privilege to be there to photograph such a special day. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
I love you with all my heart Jessamyn and I'm so grateful to call you my best friend.
I love you with all my heart Jessamyn and I'm so grateful to call you my best friend.
xoxo, Em
I'm sitting at my computer with tears streaming down my face. Em, you have such a gift for capturing beautiful, sacred emotions. I was so moved by the expressions of sacrifice and patriotism and love that you've captured. You are amazing, the Barnette family is amazing (and Jessamyn is SO beautiful, as always!). Thank you so much to you and to Jessamyn for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteyep, crying over here. emily it seems like you captured these pictures perfectly! i am so happy that brian is back safe together with his family, and that you were able to be there for this.
ReplyDeletedang-it's too early in the morning for me to be crying this much! great job emily!
ReplyDeleteyou told me to get tissues and i ignored you. now i have to go wash all this mascara off my face!! great job capturing these moments, em! thank you to the barnettes for their sacrifice! my brother and his family will get to experience this in a few months, and i cant wait!
ReplyDeletethank you for this priceless tribute, Emily!
ReplyDeleteLove you, Kate (the one in Maryland)
Dang, you'd think I was pregnant with the way I'm bawling over here! (I'm not, don't worry) Beautiful pictures! ...and what an awesome experience to be a part of that day!
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear, dear Emily. You are a wonderful friend (and have been for 13-14(?) years), an amazing photographer and one of my favorite people ever. Thank you for sharing and capturing this special day, a day I will tell my grandchildren about and show them these pictures. I love you.
ReplyDelete