Dads everywhere will tell you they will never forget the first time they saw their first-born child. It's truly a life-altering experience.

However, for some heroes, like Captain William Lotts, that "first time" can sometimes take longer than expected.

Lotts recently returned home from Afghanistan, and his reunion with him wife also meant he would see his beautiful baby daughter for the very first time. The soldier finally got to hold his baby girl, Finley, following his nine-month deployment in Ghazni, Afghanistan. And he couldn't have been happier to be back in Fort Drum, N.Y.

The heartwarming moment was caught on video as part of Good Morning America's "Operation Homecoming."

"She felt pretty light, new and fragile," he said, blown away by the experience. "It felt pretty amazing."

Screengrab via the Daily Mail

Screengrab via the Daily Mail

Screengrab via the Daily Mail

Lotts' wife, Brittany, was 15 weeks pregnant when he was sent overseas. She gave birth in July.

Prior to Lotts leaving for Afghanistan, the couple was understandably sad that he would miss the birth of their first child.

'It's pretty hard. You only have the birth of your first child once," he said.

Watch the video, which also features other homecoming stories, via GMA below:

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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