There are few feelings which well up in a parent’s heart that rival the anticipation of seeing our child’s likeness as they promenade from behind the veil of airport security.

We watch and wait, “welcome home” signs and flowers in hand. Onlookers must think we’re rock star groupies waiting for a glimpse of our favorite superstar. Well, in a sense, we sorta are. Mom’s checking “Flight Aware” every minute on the minute. If you employ “Find My Friends” and “Life360” as if conducting kiddo search and rescue missions, watching your kids fly across the country is one more valuable tool needed in your covert operational arsenal.

There she is! My iPhone video speed seems too slow for a moment as if a dream is unfolding, but in reality, the time elapse seems to be moving too fast. Smiles, frozen in the moment, are the appetizers we share. As the main course of our sweet reunion, hugs and kisses, sprinkled with salty tears, heighten the flavor of our familiar fellowship. And for dessert? The simplicity of our mid’s voice, which falls on a parent’s loving ears, reminding us of by-gone days when conversations were not tethered by cables and phones. We could play their USNA stories, even of the most mundane things, on repeat in our minds and they would never grow stale.

Our ‘19, now a LTJG, and our ‘22 Ensign have upheld a Christmas homecoming tradition in repose of the Severn. Sharp dressed, but no more ribbons and bows. They’re both squared away in the fleet now, gold buttons and all. Oh, happy day! I pray yours at home are safe and, at this moment, nestled in their homes, sleeping well past their normal muster time. It is a wonderful life.

Whether by air or asphalt vein, on the occasion when their shined oxfords cross the threshold of our home harbor, we celebrate their presence and rejoice in their company. Like nesting dolls, each visit reveals a new likeness, larger, wiser, and stronger than the last. We feed them well, love them well, and as we once did so many years ago, we watch as they nap on the couch. We pray for their future and immerse ourselves in the quiet moment with grateful hearts.

As firstie parents, your tenured hourglass is bottom heavy. Though the scales of time once tipped in your favor, the shopkeeper of swag is soon to call your Mid Store cards due. Because your fledgling Navy and Marine Corps officers are soon to enter the fleet and field, as our oldest sailor has, your annual lunch party reservation will be minus one. Though our daughters will be missed, I am thankful for their service as well as her brothers and sisters who ready the fight in the theater this holiday season.

The moment of anticipation is one we covet, sometimes for months, perhaps someday, for a year or more. Our hearts flutter as we envision that first embrace. Our eyes twinkle as we reflect on days long in the rearview mirror when our homes were full of noise, our pantries stocked with snacks, all nighters seemed all too frequent, shoes of friends piled high by the front door, and games, recitals, and plays filled our social calendars all because our kids were worth our time and for that, their Naval Academy experience is the outpouring of our eighteen-year investment.

It is a beautiful thing you’ve done as USNA parents. The kids you’ve raised are exceptional, well rounded, committed to ideals larger than themselves, and are “imbued with duty, honor, and loyalty”. Be proud! You’ve done good, Mom and Dad. Ever since that very first moment of anticipation upon introducing our newborn dumplings to family and friends, we have much to be thankful for in this season of homecoming reunions.