AUGUSTA, Ga. - A U.S. soldier was reunited with his wife and two children in Augusta Friday.

The staff sergeant has been serving his country in Iraq and hasn’t seen his family in nine months. During that time his wife, Christie gave birth to their first son, Noah. On Friday, father and son finally met for the first time.

“It's been seven weeks and he hasn't been able to see him yet,” Christie said.

She has been waiting for this day. Finally she gets to see her husband, Jonathan, hold their newborn son.

“He's definitely different in real life than in pictures,” Jonathan said.

During his time in Iraq Jonathan missed his son's birth.

“He’s going to make up for it,” Christie said.

Jonathan has the next 18 days to spend with his loved ones, doing what he loves.

“I'm going to play some golf, go to six flags, go eat at some places I don't get to eat there and just hang out with my family,” he said.

The Herrings also have a daughter who is four.

“She's missed her daddy so much,” Christie’s grandmother, Harlene Addison, said.

“When my daughter ran up saying daddy, daddy, I almost lost it,” Jonathan said.

Christie calls Jonathan her hero. Now, even if just for a short time, she can enjoy what she's missed about her husband.

“I've missed this probably more than anything. It's good to feel his arms around me again,” she said.

Jonathan will return to Iraq for another five months. His tour will be over in February or March.