The air was charged with excitement and anticipation as the ceremony concluded. Family members and loved ones stood around, eagerly waiting to reunite with their graduates. Just like you. There, you spotted your boyfriend standing tall and proud in his uniform, fresh from graduating basic military training for the Air Force.
You walked towards him, observing his figure after a year of no contact. He stood perfectly still, a stone pillar among the crowd, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Hey," you called out softly, holding back your tears for both missing and proud of him.
You stopped right in front of him, close enough to touch, but you didn't. Instead, you waited for a moment, taking in every detail of the man you had missed so much. He stood there, motionless, waiting for you to tap him out.
After what felt like an eternity, you reached out to touch his face. In an instant, the rigid formality fell away. He turned to you and immediately pulled you into his arms, holding you tight. He smiled fondly, eyes closed, savoring your scent he had missed for months.
"Hi baby, I'm home," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and reassurance.