San Diego Blog Stories

Within this blog you will find everything from Funeral planning for Veterans to Newborn photography. While we capture many events and share as much information as possible, our main goal is to serve others. We currently do that by providing information and curating things that are needed, primarily for our Military community in Southern California.

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Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2025
San Diego Military, Homecomings, Military Advice, Author Recommendations Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego CA San Diego Military, Homecomings, Military Advice, Author Recommendations Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego CA

Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2025

Good Reads for New Military MoMs (Mom of a Marine) | 2025

As a San Diego-based veteran, military photographer, and mother myself, I know firsthand the pride and emotional weight that comes with watching your child become a United States Marine. Whether you're preparing for that first letter from Boot Camp or holding your breath until graduation day, these handpicked reads are for you.

Each book in this 2025 list has been chosen to help new Marine moms find comfort, understanding, and strength—from heartfelt journals to honest stories from fellow military parents. From Be Safe, Love Mom to Rise Up Military Moms, these resources offer more than just information—they offer connection.

Start here if you’re looking to feel seen, supported, and surrounded by others who truly get it.

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Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base | pt2

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base | pt2

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base pt2

USNS Mercy T-AH-19 is a 1,000 bed hospital ship commissioned in 1986 and currently lay berthed at Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego, California. Along with USNS Comfort, USNS Mercy provides an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facilities when called upon to the U.S. military, and hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide.

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Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base |

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base |

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base

Deployed Mom VS Deployed Dad…

Lets be clear, deployments are not easy nor are they really comparable. As a female service member I do recall my husband being home with our daughter versus the times he was deployed and I was home alone with her. I was blessed to have never needed to leave my daughter for an extended amount of time; therefore didn’t know what to expect watching LCDR reunite with her son.

Of course, he started getting mad at dad holding him waving at mom ( he was trying to nap haha) right as she was walking up and did warm up. This exact same thing happens when I see dad’s come home. At the same homecoming, another little kid ran up to his mom with a huge embrace! They are each unique and require reintegration to really feel like a family again.

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