This was the sound as the first battalion of the Arizona National Guard's 158th Infantry Regiment finally returned home. Families gathering to greet loved ones in uniform they haven't seen in almost a year. But for Sergeant Christopher Fulton returning home from his third deployment.

One in Iraq, two to the Middle East, elsewhere.

The two people he can't wait to see are not in this crowd.

I just want to see my babies. I'm so excited to see them. I'm excited to see their face, their smiles, and get those hugs from them, and miss those hugs.

Daughters, Leila and Lana, already at school in Gilbert, Arizona. Mom Jordan describes driving the challenges their families faced.

It's hard. That drive away, the drop off. It is challenging, but I just try to remind them that what their dad is doing is important.

But with a little help from the school.

I'm so excited to see their little faces and see how much they've grown.

This army dad hiding backstage as the students filed in for an assembly.

They're going to love this. They're going to remember this for the rest of their lives. It's going to be a core memory and something that they have.

The moment that curtain opens, absolutely unforgettable. Dad Christopher doing his best to soak up every second.

It's actually real now. There's no more video chat, so I can actually touch them and see them. I'm so excited right now. They mean the world to me. I like the best gift I ever had.

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