Updated: Friday, 17 Aug 2012, 9:49 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 16 Aug 2012, 5:42 PM EDT
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Hampton Roads' golden girl Gabby Douglas arrived in Norfolk Thursday evening to a large crowd of fans and supporters.
Douglas tweeted her takeoff from New York City , and posted a photo of her landing at the Norfolk International Airport around 7 p.m. In one tweet she posted, "Wow a warm welcome from # VABeach Thanks soo much for all your support love you guys!!"
Photos: Gabby Douglas returns home
Douglas expressed her excitement to be back in Virginia to WAVY.com when she got off the plane.
"Thanks for your love and support. It means so much," Douglas said.
She's only staying in Virginia Beach for one day, and already has a jam-packed schedule.
"I want to see my dogs," Douglas said. "I haven't seen them in a long time. I just want to visit family and friends and go to the beach and do some shopping. I'm just happy to be home. I haven't been home in two years. I forgot what Virginia looked like!"
The Virginia Beach native has been on a whirlwind press tour since her return to the states from the London Summer Olympics, making appearances on The Tonight Show, NBC's Today Show and America's Got Talent to name a few.
Douglas is returning home with two gold medals, one for the women's gymnastics team competition and the other for her individual all-around performance.
Douglas, 16, earned most of gymnastics training in Virginia Beach, at Gymstrada and then Excalibur gymnastics. She left Hampton Roads at age 14 to train with elite gymnastics coach, Liang Chow, in Iowa.
Her hometown is planning a celebration in her honor, but Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms says it will have to wait until the fall. He told WAVY.com Douglas' schedule is too busy until then.
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