When your baby is born, the first thing you want to do is just hold that baby. Look at her little eyes and lose yourself in the miracle you created. Now imagine if you were a dad-to-be and couldn't be there for the birth.
That's what happened to Navy engineerJohn Kaniecki, 23, who has been in the Persian Gulf since August. His wife was just about four months pregnant when he was deployed. Baby Jade was born in January. And on Tuesday, three months after her birth, the proud papa finally got to meet his baby.
Kaniecki's face says it all. You can just see him melt the minute he saw his little girl. "She's so precious," he says and the happy tears start. "She looks so much like you," he softly tells his wife. What a beautiful moment. It was all captured at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport -- Kaniecki is from Western New York.
He told WIVB that he was one of those dads who showed everyone photos of his daughter while serving oversees. But photos are nothing compared to being with her in person. Jade's grandma Ellen Wanat said, "We've been waiting a long time for this. I'm just glad it's here. I haven't slept all night. So this is good." John's dad added, "He's been away for nine months now. So he did miss the birth of his child. It's the first time he gets to see her. So we're all pretty excited."
John only has a few weeks at home before he has to return to duty. Thank you for your service -- and thank you to all the sacrifices military families make. You are all heroes.
Did you get teary eyed watching this homecoming?