His side of the bed has been empty for a year. Her husband and father of her child is deployed to the war in Afghanistan while they wait for his return home.

Every morning since he left, she stands in front of the window of their home to see the runway where her husband will soon arrive. While she imagines how it will be that moment, she drinks her tea before her child wakes up. It is her moment alone with him, she says.

Bedtime for him but his son is waking up. It is time to look at each other through the Internet. He is happy to know that his child is growing healthy and happy although he is not there. The baby has a genuine joy whenever he sees his father through the computer screen. Soon this will change for both.

The most awaited day for them is coming. She prepares a banner to welcome her husband while her son is playing with markers next to her.

The day arrived, now they will be reunited to be the family that have always been. Laura, her son Leonardo and his mother Beatriz are on their way to the meeting place full of hope and happiness.

The 277 ASB Hangar is one of the places that Fort Drum (Watertown, NY) use to welcome troops returning home after serving in Afghanistan. On October 22nd, 2012, more than 200 families gathered there to welcome home the FSC 7th Engineer Battalion. One of them, U.S. Army Sargent First Class Jesus Jimenez (front row, third from right) is back to join his family. He had left for Afghanistan only 10 days after his child was born.

Laura smiles as she watch Leonardo try to understand that the man in front of him was the same face he used to see at night on a computer screen. Father, mother, and son are finally back together as a family.

Laura and Jesus lie together on the floor of their living room as they embraced each other. Laura is thankful that her husband and the father of her young son came home safe. This is an extremely happy day for this family.