Thursday, May 29, 2008

Reflections

I have a online ticker for Sean and I's anniversary on my computer and today it reads 1 month and six days. (This would be for our Justice of the Peace wedding, not our ceremony in case anyone is confused) I look back over this past year and marvel at where I was then and where I am now.

This time last year, Sean and I were dating (as best as you can 9 hours apart)talking on the phone all the time, constantly texting each other and talking from time-to-time about marriage. I knew at this point last year that I was going to marry him, although I didn't know that it would be quite so soon. I remember being a little bit scared about how much my life would change, but also being very excited about all the new opportunities that would come with it as well. All I knew at that time was that I loved this man and it didn't matter where he was going, I was going too.

Now, almost a year later I look at the good times and rough times we've had. I am an Army wife, something that I never planned on being as I was growing up. I was never one of those girls that had a thing for those "men in uniform" and I never had a favorite branch of the military. I had some friends like that, but I was never one of those girls. I didn't know anything about the Army before I married Sean. I couldn't tell you what someone's rank was just by looking at their uniform, what unit they were in and forget all those acronyms that come with being in the military lifestyle. I was a newbie and I still am. I still have to ask Sean questions everyday about things he tells me or things I hear.

I love this life. I don't love the deployments that inevitably will come, I don't love the long hours or the whole "hurry up and wait" menality, but I love our life. I love coming home and seeing Sean in his ACU's, looking so handsome and in charge. I enjoy the people that I meet and the opportunities that this lifestyle will provide with me being an Army wife.

I think about this past year and the things Sean and I have gone through, being apart for the first five months of our marriage and how that is going to prepare me for future separations. I think of us as a strong couple, even though we are still growing and learning how to be married. To me that's not something you can learn or even do in just a few months time.

My husband may irritate me and frustrate me at times and sometimes I think I hate the Army and some of the things that they do, but I would never want to be anywhere than where I am right now, with any other man in the world.

6 comments:

The Mrs. said...

I know what you mean! Sometimes I look at my life and wonder how this all came to be! I never would have imagined myself a marine wife, I wouldnt trade it for the world but I never thought I'd be kissing my husband as he went off to war.

Life is funny that way isnt it?

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

It's amazing how military life re-arranges our pre-existing "plans." I never planned on living this type of life either, but it's so me. And now I couldn't imagine being anything other than a military spouse.

It's a wild ride, for sure! :)

-Andrea

S.J. said...

Reading this post felt like reading my own thoughts. First of all, in a year I will graduate college and even though some people don't understand it I keep saying "where he is going, I am going." Not that I'm throwing away any dreams, I just have to adjust myself to make that change because I want to be with him.
Second of all, I didn't know anything about the military before I started dating him...and I still feel like I don't know a whole lot. Before we started dating I didn't even know the specific purposes of the branches of the military. I am just like you--I ask questions every day.
I never thought about "men in uniform" or ever considered being with someone who is in the military, or even doing the long distance thing. But it all doesn't matter because I love him. I've developed a sense of pride about my military knowledge and knowing that I'm close to someone who is doing something SO important for our country.
And finally, I love looking back on a year and realizing how much I have grown. It amazes me every time, even my few months in Australia I've grown and learned new things about myself.
Alright, longest comment EVER! Hope you enjoy the end of your week :)

d.a.r. said...

Ha, I could not echo these thoughts anymore. It is amazing how much you can embrace a lifestyle that you never dreamed of having :)

Mrs. Mootz said...

100% Ditto!

Jenny said...

I would have never imagined myself as an Army wife either. This deployment as made me realize how much I love my hubby and how much I take him for granted.
I am sure you can say the same thing. :)