Late Thursday night I got a text from my friend Keri that said simply, "How much would you charge to come take a few pictures of James' homecoming? His flight comes in Saturday." This was from one of the absolute sweetest women I know and also someone I admire because I don't know how on Earth she does what she does. With 6 kids (including two that she and her husband adopted) and a husband that is in the service, she always has a smile on her face, runs two of the girls between multiple dance classes and never has a sour note for anyone. She was one of the dance moms in the dressing room with my daughter for her first performance and saved my sanity that year. I wouldn't dare charge for something so special and despite an already crazy schedule on Saturday, I told her not to worry about anything. I would be there to capture the smiles and tears.

On Saturday, I pulled into the airport parking lot at a little before 1:00. Or I should say I attempted to. The traffic was backed up to the road with emergency vehicles flying down the wrong side of the road and the traffic at a stand still. Some investigating turned up there was a bomb threat and a suspicious package inside the airport. Keri couldn't even get inside. After some frantic texts back and forth, some sweating that we weren't going to get in and a lot of sitting in the car waiting, we finally got the all clear. I was able to capture this loving reunion between not only a husband and wife and kids but also his mother, grandmother and many other friends and family. The story was even picked up by an LEX18 reporter that was hanging around after the bomb threat. So Lt. Col. James Martin certainly got the homecoming reception he deserved! We thank you for your service. The pictures speak for themselves here.