JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
There was a homecoming celebration Saturday night for a Mississippi sailor returning from deployment.
Navy Petty Officer First Class Christopher Barnes arrived to cheers and hugs at Jackson-Evers International Airport.
He and his wife are stationed in Washington state.
Their daughter Eva was born while Barnes was deployed.
He has only seen her through Skype and pictures.
Barnes has been on active duty aboard the USS John C. Stennis since last July.
It is his first time being back in Mississippi in two years, and the first time seeing his five month old daughter in person.
"It's like I'm looking in a little mirror...Overwhelmed and happy, joyous, glad to be here, glad to finally see her," said Barnes.
"Feels really really good, finally feel complete again. I finally feel like I'm whole again," said his wife Amy.
Barnes heads to Washington Sunday in preparation for more deployments.
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