NORFOLK, Va. — Between new memories and old traditions, Thanksgiving can be a day that makes holiday stress worth the wait.
Some people have been waiting for a long time to see both familiar and new faces alike around the dinner table. Others might not be seeing those faces at all.
When you come from a military family like Rufus McNeil, you know family appearances around the holidays can't be taken for granted.
"It's been almost a year now," McNeil said, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his son from Travis Air Force Base in California.
Standing outside the gates at Norfolk International Airport, you'll see a different perspective on the classic holiday travel mayhem. That's the final minutes of waiting, where loved ones patiently anticipate the arrival those they may not have seen in a long time.
“We’ve been looking forward to it, you just really can’t take anything for granted. We're just grateful," Maria Lee-Johnson said, awaiting the arrival of her daughter from another semester in college.
As anticipation builds, we're reminded of why the stresses of flying on Thanksgiving Eve are worth it, building connections both old and new.
“He's never been here, period! First trip to Virginia Beach," Jack Jacovides about the cousin his young grandsons will meet for the first time.
Although the arrivals will soon be departures, the goodbyes will have to wait a little longer.
13News Now spent the day at ORF watching families reunite with their loved ones. You can watch the reunions in the video above.