I was hormonal and alone and he was thousands of miles away

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This salute is from Sharisse Hinds to her Fiance Larry Walker Johnson, E02, U.S. Navy.

I want to salute E02 Larry Walker Johnson has been in the US Navy for 10 years. He started off active and then went reservist. He felt called to serve his country and decided to go active for this mission.

We got pregnant in July 2008 and he had to leave in August 2008 to Norfolk, VA to train for his mobilization in October 2008. Although he knew I was pregnant he still felt called to follow through on his commitment which showed such loyalty and courage. He was stationed in Kuwait/Iraq for 9 months and in charge of transportation.

Larry left behind his 3 sons, Tyler (19), Joshua (11) and Alex (7), a soon to be step daughter Isabella (5), a 4 month pregnant fiancé and his loving family.

It was very hard on the both of us during this time but we both knew that God had a purpose and Larry was determined to follow it through. It was especially difficult for him because I was pregnant with his first daughter. There were many sleepless nights and lots of tears shed throughout this process. I was hormonal and alone and he was thousands of miles away and could not comfort me. We were able to skype and at times speak on the phone but that could never replace the empty bed, the doctor’s visits alone and then of course the absence of the man I love at the birth of his baby girl.

I went into labor on February 27, 2009 and gave birth to a 7lb and 3 oz baby girl. Gabrielle Margaree Johnson was 4 weeks early probably due to the stress of Larry’s absence throughout my pregnancy. My best friend was able to email him and he was able to call my cell phone during the birth. I was amazed that I was able to speak to him because getting through to him was very difficult and the 8 hour time difference did not help.

I have pictures of me and the baby immediately after delivery with the phone to my ear listening to her daddy tell me how much he wish he could have been there to see his baby girl born. We were able to skype and he was able to see his baby girl but I could see the joy and sadness in his eyes. It was that way for another 5 months until he returned back to the states at the end of July.

The emotions that filled the air when he met his baby girl for the first time were priceless. She just looked at him as if she knew him and put her head on his chest as if she was where she knew she should be, in Daddy’s arms.

It has been an adjustment for all of us having him home. He has had to get used to our schedule, changing diapers and learning to care for a baby girl. We have 5 children between the 2 of us and that is a balancing act but we are blessed that God has shown favor on our family. God has kept us and protects us while we were in the states alone and while he was away and now God has brought our family back together and we are just so happy.

I am so proud of Larry and his accomplishments. He is our hero and our protector and we love him beyond words. He is known to the military as E02 Johnson but to us he is daddy, son, brother, friend and husband.

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