Surprise Homecomming

It's not very often that you're a witness to something amazing. But, in my case, this weekend I was.

I took a trip to Chicago for the very first time this weekend. The first day there, I decided to take a train to downtown East Chicago. As I was waiting to get on the train, I noticed a beautiful pregnant woman with what looked to be her mom and dad and her in-laws waiting to get on the train, as well. I couldn't help but overhear the woman say that this was her first time to Chicago and hoped that she brought enough money. I told her that this was my first time, too, and we talked a little bit, and I really thought nothing of it.

As I was turned talking to my friend, the train we were to get on came rolling in. There were people getting off the train, and I noticed a man in his Army greens getting off the train with some luggage, the soldier was coming home. In the bustle of people getting on and climbing off, I also noticed the pregnant woman drop to her knees in surprise. There were tears flowing down her face in shock. The soldier was her husband! Her family had told her they were taking her to Chicago, and instead, her husband came home from Afghanistan.

The man who looked like her dad (which I later found out it was) came over when he saw me crying. It was such a moving moment. The woman found out she was pregnant a week after her husband left, her dad told me, and she is 6 months pregnant. I walked over and congratulated the woman, and shook the man's hand and told him how thankful I was for his service. He told me he graduated college with a degree in engineering and never imagined he would be defending his country. He said somethings in life that are unplanned, or come as a shock to us, are the best moments in life. What amazing words, I thought.

I just had to share this moment with you all. The weekend in Chicago was so much fun, but this was the best part, by far. We don't know how fortunate we are when it comes to safety in the US. These men and women leave their families, friends, EVERYTHING to fight and defend our country. I plead with all of you reading this; when, or if, you ever see a service man/woman, take time and thank them. You won't regret it.