Hurried journey from Afghanistan to Tacoma lets soldier see birth

http://m.thenewstribune.com/newstrib/db_97881/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=sMexwRC0&full=true#display ^

[fatima]

Tacoma resident Amanda Arehart had resigned herself to not having her husband around for the birth of their second child Tuesday.

Seven thousand miles separated the couple as Matt Arehart, a 25-year-old combat medic assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, entered the home stretch of his nine-month deployment to Afghanistan with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

As Matt served overseas on his third deployment, Amanda raised their 18-month-old daughter Ella and prepared for the birth of their son during a difficult pregnancy.

A day or so earlier, Matt had broken the news to his wife that he would be in the midst of a “big, long mission” when she gave birth at Tacoma General Hospital.

Matt was on a mission, but its objective only crystallized for his 25-year-old wife when he stepped into the hospital room shortly before her scheduled delivery. He not only gave her the first hug they’ve shared in nearly seven months but also the biggest surprise in their yearlong marriage.

“I didn’t believe my eyes for a second,” she said.

The reunited couple then welcomed a healthy Gunner Vincent Arehart into the world by Cesarean section. He weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 19 inches.

“I knew it meant a lot to her, so it meant a lot to me to be here,” an exhausted Matt said. http://m.thenewstribune.com/newstrib/db_97881/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=sMexwRC0&full=true#display

[fatima]

Feel good story of the day.This is my daughter's online friend.My daughter's husband is away helping Sandy victims so he will not be able to make Thanksgiving.