MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) It is a Valentine's Day many military families will never forget. The Alabama National Guard along with family and friends welcomed home the Soldiers of the 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at the Fort Whiting Alabama National Guard. About 190 soldiers were deployed in April of 2013 as part of the Operation Enduring Freedom. I couldn't sleep. I was so excited, said Lily Anderson. Families waited for nearly two and a half hours for the Alabama National Guard to hand over their daddies. The troops were away for almost a year. So this is the first holiday they've been able to have with us in the past year. It s really a special day, said Suzanne Lowery. Lowery has been raising her three daughters by herself while her husband was deployed. We were not trying for a baby at all so he was our surprise, said Lowery. Four week old Timothy Isaac has waited his entire life to meet his father. His mother said, Valentine s Day is about love, and what a better way to show love then meet your baby for the 1st time. As others patiently waited inside, the Lowery family greeted Sgt. Timothy Lowery as he came right off the bus. It is where he laid eyes for the first time on his first son. It's good. It's hard to describe. So it's good, said Sgt. Lowery. His wife said, It s nice to see him, and it s good to know he's back. It's really good. It is a Valentine s Day none of the families will ever forget, especially Suzanne and her three daughters. I'll always remember this, said Amy Lowery. I love him so much. He could have come on any other day he'd still be my valentine. The soldiers of the 226th provided base management operations for multiple base camps in Kabul, police training for police districts of Kabul, and other assistance.