This Wife Of This Soldier Tried To Keep A Secret From Him For Months
Military life often entails being away from home on occasion, resulting in the separation of soldiers from their families. This situation can give rise to both poignant and heartwarming tales. One such story involves Chris Daugherty, who experienced an extraordinary and touching surprise upon his return from military duty.
Goodbye
In January 2017, Daugherty departed from home with the initial expectation of a five-month absence. However, as time went on, it became evident that his time away would be prolonged. This unexpected turn of events, although surprising, paled in comparison to the astonishing surprise that awaited him upon his eventual return.
Off To The Next Location
Daugherty, along with his wife Natasha and their three children, were well-acquainted with this way of life. Having experienced prolonged separations in the past, the family was prepared for the challenges that lay ahead when he departed in early 2017.
Loneliness
However, it didn’t take long for Natasha to begin experiencing a sense of loneliness. Despite having become accustomed to her husband’s lengthy deployments, this time felt different for her. She noticed a shift in her behavior, starting with subtle changes that gradually became harder to conceal.
A Difficult Toddler
The children, including Natasha’s eldest 10-year-old son, started to pick up on these changes as well. While the older child could keep it a secret, there was uncertainty about whether the younger daughter would be able to do the same.
Non-stop Conversations
Despite Natasha’s busy schedule and numerous responsibilities at home, she managed to maintain regular contact with her husband. They would engage in video calls almost daily, although it posed a challenge for Natasha. She couldn’t help but worry about the possibility of Chris discovering that she was attempting to conceal something.
Almost Got Caught
There were moments when it proved particularly challenging for Natasha to withhold her secret. The desire to confide in Chris was overwhelming. During a video call a few weeks after his departure, she came close to revealing it but, at the last minute, made the difficult decision to continue keeping it hidden.
He Wasn’t The Only One She Hid It From
In addition to Chris, Natasha was determined to keep her secret hidden from her immediate family as well. However, this task became increasingly challenging over time, as she had astute and perceptive relatives who had the potential to uncover her undisclosed information.
Increasingly Dangerous
As time went on, the situation became increasingly precarious for both Natasha and Chris. While Natasha struggled with her hidden secret, Chris, who was stationed in Korea, found himself facing a dangerous situation. The North Korean government was conducting experiments with nuclear weapons, and Chris was in close proximity to the test site, raising concerns for his safety.
Hard Times
Natasha endured a constant state of uncertainty regarding her husband’s well-being. Despite the worry that weighed on her, she had to find a way to make ends meet. Balancing two jobs and the responsibility of caring for three children, she had very little time to spare for herself.
Half A Year Later
Five months had elapsed, yet Chris had not yet returned home. In an unexpected turn of events, his mission was prolonged by an additional month. He made a phone call to Natasha from the army base to deliver the news. The mission had grown increasingly perilous, necessitating an extension of at least one more month.
Going Mad With Uncertainty
For Natasha, it was an anxiety-inducing period filled with constant uncertainty. Each day, she grappled with the decision of whether or not to disclose her secret. The fear of the unknown loomed large—what if something happened to her husband? Would she ever be able to forgive herself for keeping the truth concealed? The weight of these questions weighed heavily on her mind.
Coming Home
Despite the challenges and internal struggles, Natasha remained resilient and steadfast in keeping her secret. Her determination eventually bore fruit. In June, six months after Chris’s departure, he finally embarked on his journey back home to America.
Welcome Back!
On a scorching summer day, specifically June 23, Chris’s family gathered in San Diego. Anticipation filled the air as they stood together on the pier, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the man they had longed for and missed deeply. And there he was, finally appearing before their eyes, ending their prolonged separation.
Incredible
With joyous enthusiasm, Chris’s children sprinted towards their father, eager to embrace him after the long-awaited reunion. Following closely behind them was Natasha, holding a large sign that read, “Welcome back, Daddy.” After Chris enveloped his children in a heartfelt hug, he approached his wife, causing her to drop the sign. However, as Chris caught sight of what emerged from behind the sign, he couldn’t contain his astonishment. “Are you kidding me? Seriously?” he exclaimed.
The Moment Of Truth
Concealed beneath the sign was a powerful message written on Natasha’s shirt: “I am the present Dad left behind before he left.” And beneath the shirt, Natasha’s protruding baby belly revealed the beautiful secret she had been harboring—their unborn child, a testament to their love during Chris’s absence.
Flabbergasted
Chris was overwhelmed with disbelief. He couldn’t trust his own eyes. “I gazed at her and playfully poked her belly,” he recalled later, bursting into laughter. “I honestly thought she was joking with me,” he chuckled.
Proud Daddy
It was an incredibly momentous day for Chris, as fate would have it, his homecoming coincided with Father’s Day. The timing seemed almost too perfect to be real. Little did he know that the day held even more wonderful surprises in store for him.
Help From Family
Despite Natasha’s inability to keep her pregnancy a secret from her extended family, they rallied around her instead of revealing the surprise prematurely. In a heartwarming gesture, one family member discreetly recorded Chris’s homecoming, capturing the touching moment on camera. The video swiftly gained popularity when shared on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, captivating the hearts of viewers far and wide.
Strategically Hidden
Concealing the pregnancy had required significant effort on Natasha’s part, especially given her regular communication with Chris during her pregnancy. During their conversations, she would strategically place one of their children on her lap to obscure her growing belly. On occasion, she even staged photos with a beer, carefully ensuring she didn’t actually consume it, so as not to give Chris any suspicion of her pregnancy.
Don’t Spoil The Secret!
The most challenging aspect was ensuring that her children remained oblivious to the special secret. Natasha humorously recounted, “When my eldest daughter began to notice, I simply joked that I was getting a bit chubby.” She resorted to light-hearted explanations to divert any suspicion, making light of the situation to keep her children unaware of the true reason behind her changing appearance.
‘Hardest Time Of My Life’
Keeping the pregnancy hidden proved to be quite challenging at times. Natasha experienced numerous instances where she felt the urge to contact her husband and disclose the secret through a call or email. However, she displayed remarkable self-restraint each time, managing to resist the temptation and continue keeping the surprise intact.
Hidden Out Of Love
Natasha’s decision to keep the secret stemmed from a deep place within her heart. She recognized that if she were to disclose the pregnancy to Chris, he would be preoccupied with thoughts of what he was missing out on, potentially detracting from his focus on the mission at hand. Thus, she patiently waited for his return, eagerly anticipating the moment when she could finally share the joyful news. Little did Chris know that there were more surprises awaiting him beyond the long-awaited revelation.
Another Surprise
Natasha and Chris embarked on a visit to the hospital for an ultrasound, filled with anticipation to discover the gender of their unborn baby. While it became evident that the baby was in good health, the suspense remained: would they be blessed with a baby boy or a baby girl?
Gender Reveal
To share the exciting news with their extended family, Natasha and Chris organized a party. They adorned the venue with balloons filled with confetti. As the balloons burst open, pink confetti fluttered through the air, revealing the joyous announcement: they were expecting another daughter. The room was filled with delight and anticipation for the arrival of their baby girl.
Time To Acclimate
During the period between Chris’s return and the impending birth of their baby, the couple found themselves with a plethora of tasks to tackle. They busied themselves with buying diapers, setting up a baby room, and attending to various preparations. Despite the demands of their to-do list, they relished the moments they could spend together, cherishing the precious time as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of their newest family member.
Bad News
However, amidst their joy and preparations, there was an underlying concern. Chris was aware that he could be called for a mission at any moment, potentially causing him to miss the birth of his daughter. Anxiously, they waited for any communication from the army, uncertain of what the future held and hoping for a positive outcome.
Relief?
As the phone finally rang, Natasha’s heart skipped a beat. The awaited moment had arrived—the news of Chris’s upcoming mission would be disclosed. To their immense relief, the message brought a wave of reassurance. The mission was scheduled for early 2018, ensuring that Chris would be present for the birth of his daughter, anticipated to take place around August 2017, without any obstacles.
Later Than Planned
Despite their hopeful expectations, fate had a different timeline in store for the arrival of their fourth baby. Contrary to their plans, the little one took her time and bypassed the anticipated month of August. It was on September 2, 2017, that Anara Rose finally made her entrance into the world, bringing immense joy and completing their growing family.
Worth The Trouble
Ultimately, both Chris and Natasha found solace and happiness in the decision to keep the secret. Despite the roller coaster of emotions that Natasha had experienced throughout the journey, the outcome brought her a profound sense of contentment. Now, more than ever, she found herself overflowing with joy and fulfillment.
Very Special
Following their remarkable journey, Natasha and Chris were afforded the opportunity to share their story on national television during a CBS broadcast. Reflecting on the experience, Chris expressed his sentiments, saying, “It was truly a fantastic experience. While it would have been nice to have been told over the phone, the unique and special way she orchestrated everything made it truly remarkable.” Their story captivated the hearts of viewers, leaving a lasting impression of love, dedication, and the extraordinary surprises life has in store.
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