I was raised in the Marine Corps. My father was sent overseas four times in the years I was growing up. Although it was always exciting when he came home, the first time was one I especially won't forget.
We never knew exactly when he would come--we just knew the month, so it was always a surprise, but when I was about six in the month before my dad returned, my mom and sister and me would play the "Daddy joke" by standing by the front door and exclaiming "DADDY!" and watch who came running. To my sister and me, it was funny. I don't exactly know what my mom thought. I did know though that we waited with anticipation for that day he stepped through the door.
Then one day I was playing in the livingroom, and I was the lucky one to first see him. Of course I exclaimed, "DADDY!" and everyone came running. I'll never forget the excitement. It still brings tears to my eyes.
