7.24.2010

Daddy Meets Penny for the First Time


Many of you know that my husband was deployed to Afghanistan last October during my 7th month of pregnancy (pretty good timing, eh?). It was a long 7 months, especially after the baby was born; not because she was a tough baby to deal with, but because I wanted more than anything for him to be able to see her.. hold her... kiss her... to know her like I did.

When Penny was born, I emailed Dan pictures from my cell phone, but that was all I could do to make him feel a part of it.

Well, 7 months has passed and our new little family has finally been united. Thanks to the amazing Ryan Southwell Films, we will have this moment to treasure forever. I can't say ENOUGH about Ryan and I'm so glad he was able to be with us documenting one of the most precious moments of our life. Thank you Ryan for the greatest gift anyone could ask for.

If for some reason the video image isn't showing up, refresh the page or just go HERE.


Lieutenant Dan has been deployed in Afghanistan since last October and is on his way home. But what makes it special is that he has a new baby daughter waiting to meet him for the first time. Watch as this journey unfolds throughout the day as the tension builds and the family reunites for the first time as three. It's a crusher. You can't help but feel some of the patriotism when he arrives home. As I said in a prequel to this post, this is the stuff life is all about.

I chose this song because it starts soft and subtle, with a little bit of mystery. But the end has a huge payoff that I love. Lifehouse - "Everything".

35 comments:

Amanda said...

as you already know from previous comments, i'm a very new follower and already my heart goes out to you, your family, and your brave and gracious husband. the video, needless to say, brought me to tears immediately. words cannot express my graciousness to men and women like your husband who put their life on hold to protect our families, and the wives and families of these brave souls who love and support them whole heartedly. you're an absolutely beauiful brave woman, inside and out and i feel beyond lucky to have come across your blog. congratulations on having your lovely little family all together, just as it should be. and, thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment with the rest of us.

Stefanie said...

Wow. This really touched me. You must all be full of strength to have been through all that you have away from eachother. Thank you for sharing your story of love and thank you for your families gift of sacrifice and service!

Kim said...

What an amazingly beautiful video. I cried as I watched, but with a smile on my face. I'm so happy that you and your family are all together once again and that you were able to have this video made of that special day to keep and cherish forever. God Bless all of you.

Herbgirl said...

Amazing video.....could actually feel the love beeming through my monitor! Know the sacrifices your family has made do not go unnoticed. Thanks for that and being a family to serve our USA.
Hugs N Herbal Blessings, Mandy

RACHELLE said...

i too feel like i know you guys and i couldnt help but to get tears in my eyes when you ran out to him to hug him and welcome him home! what a sweet family! i'm glad you are all together again! yay for families!

love shell

www.gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

So happy for you and your family. I smiled with tears as you celebrated with your husband. To many people take for granted what every day life is like for military families. My sister went through 20 years of this and I know her struggles. God Bless you and your family. Your daughter is beautiful.

Sara and Justin said...

What an amazing moment to capture on film and what a beautiful job the videographer did. You are gorgeous and have such a beautiful family (inside and out!). Thank you so much for your service.

Aja said...

Oh my goodness. I just came across your blog and this video has me bawling my eyes out. In a good way! I'm pregnant with our first baby and just cannot imagine not having my husband home with me. You are so brave and strong! I'm so happy that you are all together now! Thank you for sharing!

Alice said...

I am a new follower and am so glad I came across your blog. What an amazing blog entry (on top of your other amazing entries).. but this one brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your sacrfice and service. What an amazing woman you are.

HELEN said...

All I can say is WOW. That was absolutely amazing. I have cried my tears for the week. Thank you for sharing and thank your husband for his service.

Hardin County Keepsakes said...

I just came upon your video.It brought tears to my eyes.I have had 2 sons serve in the war.
I was blessed and they returned safely as did your Dan.
Enjoyed seeing your beautiful family being reunited.
Thanks judy j

Rebecca Everly said...

Thank you so much for sharing this special moment with the rest of us. I don't know how you did it. What strength and courage this must have taken. I can't even imagine how I would have done it all without my husband. Glad he is back and your family is together once again.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness, that was a tear jerker!
Thank you so much for sharing.
So beautiful. I hope and wish for every soldier coming home to have just a piece of that beautiful homecoming.
~B

Scarlett said...

I'm bawling! What a beautiful video (and a beautiful family, geez!) So glad you are finally united.

Mandi Stevens said...

Thank you so much for posting that video. What an amazing thing that is to have on film. I couldn't even imagine what you went through. So glad he is back safely.

karen said...

How beautiful. Your family is so special and that video was so dear that I cried.
You have a sweet baby girl and a brave, handsome and adoring husband. (And a wonderful blog that I love to read...)
Life is good.
Thank you for the special moment you brought me.
xoxo
karen

Lexie said...

That really is beautiful....wow, ok, wiping the tears now. Thank you for that.

Tutti Chic said...

BEAUTIFUL video & BEAUTIFUL little family! Thank You so much for your service & sacrifice to our country! You all deserve to have the healthiest happiest life together!!! :) chris

fawn said...

heart-burstingly beautiful.

Melissa from Cleveland said...

I had no idea your husband was deployed. I'm an occasionally follower of your blog. Thany you so much for inviting everyone to view a very private moment in your and your family's life. It was beautiful, and I'm so greatful to witness such a happy ending. God Bless your family. I need to go get my tissues and explain to my 5 yr. old why mommy is crying. Enjoy your "new" family!

said...

I really cry with your video is very beauty ...i don't have words...G-d bless your family!

Rochelle said...

What an amazing video! So touching...a brand new family...finally together.
Thank you for sharing this private moment with all of us!
-Rochelle

Lisa said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a sacrifice you and your family have endured so that my family and I can have our freedom. The video was beautiful. I was sobbing like a baby through the entire thing. A beautiful keepsake for you and your family. Thanks for sharing!

AntiqueChase said...

I watched this 2 times and then made my husband watch it too. I have been following your blog but had no idea your husband was away.. how did I miss that? Glad you have him back home. Best to you.

Shana said...

oh my goodness, i'm tearing up as I type this. i had no idea that your hubby was deployed. having just had gabe 4 months ago, I can't imagine having had to go through pregnancy and all of his firsts without my husband. the video is beautiful and i'm very happy that your full family is now together!

NicNacManiac said...

Tears of joy flowed for your family and the obvious love that you all share!! Blessings xOxO

Kristen said...

This video is just so precious! And a tear-jerker at that. You are like the perfect family, and your daughter is beautiful! Im soo glad you are all together!

Vintage Home said...

...wow!...Thank you for sharing...

Tamara said...

I'm a follower of your blog and had no idea that your husband was deployed, how did I miss that?

What a beautiful video and beautiful family you have. I'm so glad he's home safe and sound.

Nancy @ Wrapped In Love said...

Thank you for sharing this video with the web world! Thank you Dan for serving our country... You have a beautful family!!

Trecia said...

Lord have mercy! I just bawled watching your video. Lol! My husband is sitting on the other end of the couch asking me, "Honey, what's wrong?" :)

Brooke Trogdon said...

pretty sure I did the ugly boohoo kind of cry watching this. so beautiful and what a wonderful way to capture this moment forever.

marĂ­a cecilia said...

Blessings to your beautiful family, Tracy... here you´ve got me crying.....

Johanna said...

i just came across your blog. i loved watching your video. my husband is a seabee in the navy so i can totally relate.

it's awesome that you were able to film that moment :)

Betty W. said...

Tracy I had no idea your husband is in the military. I just came up on your blog today and saw this video- I almost cried too! I'm so glad he came home safely and got to hold that gorgeous baby girl! Thanks for sharing such a personal moment- I hope all of you are doing wonderfully!