Welcoming our Troops Home <3

We have been so fortunate since starting this project with our Veterans, and it has opened so many more doors than I ever thought possible.

We have had the opportunity to meet with amazing Veterans and their families, and are getting to meet with organizations and people who work tirelessly with helping Veterans adjust to life after combat.

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with Ashley Horner of The Hire Group (https://www.thgroupllc.org). The part of her LinkedIn message that stuck out to me, and pushed me to reach out to her, was how passionate she is about placing Veterans in jobs. Her son is currently serving in the Air Force and her heart is, in addition to many other things, committed to helping our Veterans.

On Thursday, I had the ultimate privilege of photographing our troops returning from deployment at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Ashley's son would be one of the one's returning, so we had some time to meet in person and talk about one another's projects and goals. Holy motivation! This woman has so many things up her sleeve, it's hard not to leave motivated!

What I was able to witness and be a part of was so moving and emotional, and I am forever changed. Families gathered, waiting patiently for their loved ones to returned. Boyfriends and girlfriends, with huge smiles on their faces, waiting for hours with just as much excitement as the moment they entered the door. Mothers and fathers sleeping on the benches until their son or daughter returned. And then the moment the gates opened and they were HOME! As an onlooker who didn't have anyone for whom I was waiting, it was hard not getting emotional. It was such a proud and motivating moment, and I am so honored to have been a part of it.