I’m not crying, you’re crying.
I can’t imagine what it would be like, knowing one of your family members are overseas. Not being able to see them, and having no clue when that next time will be… God forbid if the last already happened.
That’s what makes these soldier homecomings so special.
According to WEAU13news, U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Matthew Hondel hadn’t seen his family in 10-months, as he was on a tour in Kuwait and Afghanistan.
He returned home to Eau Claire Wisconsin on September 3rd, but made sure his arrival would be special for his 9-year-old and 7-year-old.
Hondel made a surprise visit to his kids at the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, and the looks on their faces are absolutely priceless.
Hondel’s son, Tristan, was super excited to see his father once again:
“I had a lot of dreams about dad coming home. And for me, it was like, ‘Is this a dream?’ But it felt really good hugging him, running over there.”
Hondel was equally excited:
“It was amazing, yeah. Just having them latch on and not let go, you know. It felt like it lasted forever… It was good.”
“It’s a whole different experience going away knowing that you’re missing birthdays, you’re missing holidays, you’re missing the school events. It’s different because you know what is going on and that they miss you more.
When you’re younger it’s a little bit easier. You just focus on the mission.”
This was his third tour in the Middle East, and with the tension over there, every homecoming becomes more and more anticipated.
His mom, Marcia Finseth, would know better than anybody:
“It’s not the first time greeting him back home but this is a little different because of the boys.”
“I can’t even describe how happy I am to have him home. I missed him. He’s a grown man, he can take care of himself but you never stop being a mom.”
You gotta love it.
