Families reunite at Naval Submarine Base in New London

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- There were some tearful moments at the Naval Sub base in New London on Tuesday as the U.S.S. Providence pulled into port. Sailors who had been away from their families for more than six months were on board.

The families of the sailors weren't going to let a little bad weather dampen the homecoming which was several months in the making.

No one is more excited to see the U.S.S. Providence pull into port than the new moms, who all had babies during the 7 month deployment.

"Uhhh, there's no words to explain. I'm very excited," said Marie McBlain.

Marie McBlain and one-month-old Zoey got a front row spot on this pier.

"There she is, right there," said McBlain.

Among the families waiting for their sailors to come home are folks who are related, not by blood or marriage but by something equally as special.

"We're waiting for affectionately known as Big Jeremy. I'm gonna cry 'cause we've missed him for quite a while," said Sharon Schick.

Jeremy Castle is a young sailor from Utah. The Schicks opened their home to him and other single sailors.

"It's a family here away from home 'cause they need it," said Schick.

"I'm gonna play some video games if he has some video games at his house," said Ana-Bele Rose Schick.

First things first. The first kiss and the first reunions. Shawn McBlain met Zoey for the first time.

"Oh more beautiful than I could imagine," said Shawn McBlain.

"We've been waiting more than six months," said Braedon Joyce, the son of a sailor.

"That's a long time right," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"Yup," said Joyce.

"What are you going to do with your dad when you get home?

"Tackle him and rough house," said Joyce.

"Probably harder on me than some of the guys I work with," said Brandon Joyce, a sailor.

The Providence logged more than 38-thousand miles and visited several ports including stops in Haifa, Israel, Dubai, and Spain.

"As soon as we got in the river the hail hit us and we knew we were home," said Commander Michael Quan.

During this deployment 26 sailors advanced to petty officer while another 26 qualified for submarines.