Groton - Relativity is an interesting thing. Consider the USS California, the Virginia-class attack submarine that returned to the Naval Submarine Base New London on Saturday after its maiden deployment.

 It was gone for seven months — but somehow that didn’t seem nearly as long as the one hour between the sub’s docking at Pier 12 and the moment the submariners actually got to disembark and reunite with their waiting loved ones. The delay was the result of a requisite visit from Customs and Immigration and, afterward, the off-load disposal of the boat’s quarantine and foreign waste. 

“The last hour seemed as long as the whole deployment,” said Andrew Dye, an electronics technician third class, with a smile. He had the honor of being the first submariner to go ashore on a frigid afternoon peppered with relentless and near-freezing drizzle. 

His wife, Valerie Dye, winner of a raffle for the traditional first kiss, had waited teary-eyed and smiling just beyond cement barriers and a holding area where blue-and-white-striped tents had been erected to shelter the families from the weather. The smell of pizzas donated for the occasion and a variety of welcome-home posters and banners added to the festive sense of anticipation. 

“This is just the best,” said Valerie Dye, who amassed almost 40 raffle tickets through Facebook quizzes and fundraising events. “How many couples get to have a second first kiss?” 

Earlier, as word spread that the California had passed under the Gold Star Bridge, the submarines in port began to sound their horns as the homecoming vessel drew nigh. Two-hundred members of the Basic Enlisted Submarine School gathered in formation at the foot of the pier and, as the submarine moored, sang “Anchors Aweigh” and shouted unison cheers of “Boo Yah, California!” 

Under the command of Cmdr. Shawn Huey, California left Groton last July, traveled more than 40,000 nautical miles and conducted port visits in Norway, Scotland and France. 

“We had 100 sailors on their first deployment and 93 sailors on their first submarine mission. We had 24 sailors promoted while we were gone and three guys who missed the births of children,” Huey said. “I’m exceptionally proud of all the men and we completed all of our missions successfully.” He pointed at the sail of the California where, above the traditional lei draped there for its homeport arrival, two brooms pointed at the sky. “Those signify a clean sweep of our responsibilities.” 

It was Huey’s fifth deployment and, as his wife, Tara Huey, endured the delay before the sailors came ashore, she reflected on the experience of being a submariner’s spouse. 

“It never gets easier when they’re gone,” she said. “Even though we can now email a bit, it’s still difficult to communicate because it’s understandably pretty strict in terms of what we can say. We keep it pretty simple. Let’s just say Shawn’s gotten a lot of emails about how potty training is going with the children.” 

The homecoming was a first-time event for Candice Nickel, anticipating the arrival of her husband, Machinist Mate Chief Michael Nickel. She was accompanied by their three children, Deano, Savannah and Maverick — the latter of whom was born in August and would see his father for the first time. 

Candice Nickel said she’d missed her husband terribly but understood. “I’m not the first Navy wife to have a baby alone and I won’t be the last,” she said. “It’s part of the job and we’re so proud of him. He made chief while he was out to sea.” 

When asked if Maverick had mastered any words of greeting for his father, she laughed. “Not yet. He’ll probably spit up on him.” 

That didn’t happen — but it wouldn’t have mattered. When Nickel at last reunited with his family and broke from a long group hug, he took a deep breath. He said, “Seeing them is a feeling you can’t describe or get used to. We’ve been gone a long time in what is a pretty unique situation. Not many people get to do what we do. This was my first deployment, and I feel a genuine sense of pride and appreciation.” Nickel smiled at his wife. “And these are the most beautiful children in the world.”

r.koster@theday.com

Twitter: @rickkoster