Why I LOVE being an Operation Love Reunited Photographer...Reason #101

Being part of Op Love is an absolute honor.   I am a military wife and I LOVE being able to give to other military families.  I could list a 100 reasons why I LOVE this program, but I want to share Reason #101. 

In January, when my daughter, Alyssa, picked up her first Girl Scout Cookie Sales Sheet she was beyond excited…in her mind it was her "initiation" into Girl Scouts.  Apparently you are not a "real" Girl Scout until you have sold a box of Samoa's.

I sat Alyssa down to establish a reasonable goal and to explain to her that there was the option to participate in the "Gifts of Caring" program.  A program in which her troop would be donating cookies to military service members.  Moments after my "Gifts of Caring" explanation I had a proud mommy moment that I will never forget.  Alyssa looked at me with intense sincerity in her eyes and said, "Mommy, you know how you take pictures for families when their Daddy (or Mommy) is gone…we should send those Daddys (or Mommys) cookies."  My heart absolutely melted and all I could think was…My charitable contributions have taught my daughter the gift of giving to others.   

I emailed the "Cookie Mom" and asked if Alyssa's boxes could be donated to Operation Love Reunited.  This little idea, inspired by my sweet 5-year-old, became even more exciting when her troop and a sister troop were permitted to donate ALL their "Gifts of Caring" boxes to Operation Love Reunited. 

So, when VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" returned from a 6-month deployment on Saturday the service members and their families were welcomed home with Girl Scout Cookies donated by Troops 389 and 488.

Tomorrow, Alyssa and I are excited to send the remaining cookies to some Mommys and Daddys that are currently deployed on a few locally based ships.

I REALLY didn't need another reason to participate in this wonderful program, but each time I take the time to be away from my own family for an Op Love Session…I will think of Reason #101.

Thank you to all our military families for their continued service and the sacrifices they make for our country.  And thank you to Troops 389 and 488 for supporting "Gifts of Caring" and "Operation Love Reunited".