This article was originally published at lizanest.com.

For almost two years, Jamie dreamed of nothing more than returning home to his wife and little girl. He missed birthdays, school days, and countless small moments that he could never get back, and the ache of missing those years weighed heavily on him. Still, he served with pride, knowing duty had to come first. But when the long-awaited reunion finally came, it wasn’t the joyful moment he imagined. His daughter hugged him tight—then mentioned her “new dad.” Jamie’s world turned upside down.
