The day that the USS Kearsarge pulled in was the same day that the USS Ponce would be returning home.

My neighbor Natalie had been counting down the days until her husband came home since I had first met her. She is young, but so strong. She helped me out so much when I needed her, and I am so grateful to have a neighbor as awesome as her.

She was waiting on the pier for Ryan to get home, accompanied with his parents and grandpa. They were all so excited to welcome their son back.

I am so glad that I got to photograph their homecoming. And I am looking forward to getting to know my new neighbor and seeing if he lives up to all of the crazy stories I have heard about him 🙂

Welcome home sailors of the USS Ponce! And Nat, no knocking photo frames off of my walls 😉

I put together a slideshow of the photos taken at the homecoming. I included a couple that blew me away. The woman was dressed in a very 50s style skirt and blouse. When she saw her husband they paused and stared at each other. Then their lips met in one of the most passionate kisses I have ever seen. She leaped into his arms and he twirled her around. It was one of the most romantic things I have ever seen.

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