ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) -- One of the parts of the season is reunions at the airport. Families coming home for Christmas and Hannukah means there were plenty of hugs and happy tears at Reagan National Airport. The stories of last minute Christmas tree shoppers on Christmas Eve in Fairfax It was a busy Tuesday afternoon at Reagan National Airport as a number of people traveled thousands of miles to be with family. As many travelers waited for their bags, Amanda and Andrew Addie waited for their kids. "This would have been the first one without them. And so we thought we were going be spending it apart but luckily we were able to get 'em here," Amanda Addie said. They bought last-minute tickets for their kids to fly home from Honolulu. Where is Santa? How to track his Christmas 2024 journey Amanda's daughter Baylie and son-in-law Joshua Rice were able to make it after Joshua Rice was allowed last-minute leave from the Army. "A special order got passed where a certain amount of people were allowed to leave the island so we decided let's go see the parents," Joshua Rice said. There were hugs as far as the eye could see near baggage claim. "Being able to see them is really really great," Baylie Rice added. Matt Hayden and his wife Pam Ecordero eagerly waited for her family to fly in from Bolivia. "Her family is very far away, and it's not always easy for them to be together, especially with how things are in Bolivia right now," Hayden said. "So there were some flight delays and such but we're very happy that they're here. Being with family is so important." Washington Commanders fans doing some last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve It was a short walk and run into the arms of the family. For these families, moments shared around the tree are sure to be that much more special this Christmas.