Kids Turn San Diego
Staying Connected During Deployment: From One Military Mom to Another
By Morgan, Military Spouse, Veteran, Mom & Photographer
When my husband deployed, our daughter was still little — those in-between years where every week brought a new phrase, a new skill, a new moment of magic. At the time, I was a reservist juggling school, solo parenting, and the quiet ache of missing my best friend. I remember wondering: How do I help her feel connected to someone she can’t see? How do I capture all of this before it slips by?
Now, as a photographer serving military families through emotional milestones, I want to offer what helped me—and what I’ve seen work for others. These ideas aren't just from a professional lens. They're from the heart of a mama who’s been there.
1. 📸 Photograph the Everyday Moments
You don’t need a fancy camera. Snap photos of bedtime stories, messy morning hair, soccer games, or quiet afternoons. These aren’t just memories—they’re visual love letters. I created a private shared album my husband could peek at whenever he had Wi-Fi. Some days, all he got was a blurry photo of our daughter holding her favorite toy, but it was enough. It mattered.
Photographer Tip: Capture the in between. The way your child holds their blanket, the scribbled drawings, the joy after a cupcake. These are the things they’ll want to remember—and that your spouse will never want to miss.
2. 📖 Create a "Deployment Book" Together
We kept a small scrapbook on the kitchen counter. Each week, my daughter added a sticker, a drawing, or a note “to Daddy.” When he came home, he didn’t just get a hug—he got a whole storybook of the moments he missed, written by the child who missed him most.
3. 🎥 Record Little Love Notes
Short video clips can feel like time travel. A morning “I love you,” a new dance move, a whispered prayer before bed. I used to record quick videos right before naptime when emotions ran high. Sometimes they were silly. Sometimes they made me cry. But every one of them helped my husband feel like he was still home in some small way.
4. 💌 Send Letters—Even If They’re Just Scribbles
One of my favorite boxes is filled with drawings and crayon rainbows addressed “To Daddy on the boat.” It didn’t matter if mail took weeks to arrive—what mattered is that our daughter saw her words going somewhere. And when he returned with her letters saved in a binder, she knew she was never far from his heart.
5. 🪖 Document the Reunion
Whether it's a homecoming on the pier or a quiet return in the middle of the night, take a moment to pause and document the first hug. I still tear up thinking about the moment our daughter ran into his arms for the first time in months. As a photographer, I know these reunion moments don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be real.
If you want support in capturing that, reach out. I offer homecoming and lifestyle sessions designed for military families. Because these moments are sacred, and they deserve to be remembered.
From One Military Spouse to Another...
You’re doing beautifully. Even on the days when you feel stretched thin, you are weaving connection between your child and their parent with every photo, every story, every memory kept alive. And that is powerful.
With love and solidarity,
Morgan
Mom • Photographer • Navy Veteran • Military Spouse
