all that lovey-dovey stuff.

Yesterday, as we were enjoying ice cream cones on a very hot Michigan spring day, my 8-year-old brother informed me that I did not, in fact, go to college.

Me:  "Yes, I did, for a little while."

Carson:  "But you're not going anymore."

Me:  "You're right."

Carson:  "Yeah, because now you have a love life."

Me:  (amused)  "What's a love life?"

Carson:  "You know, when two people meet, and then they have a love life."

Me:  "You mean like when two guys meet?"

Carson:  (slightly exasperated)  "Noooo.  When one guy meets one girl, and you know, they do love life things, and talk lovey to each other, and all that lovey-dovey stuff."

The conversation drifted onto other topics as the ice cream melted off our cones and onto the table in front of us.  (In Carson's case, onto his shirt.)  I smile as I recall this conversation and the simplicity with which my little brother thought of a romantic relationship.  But I think there's something to be said about this simple approach to something we often take way too seriously.  Don't get me wrong -- a relationship requires a lot of time, energy, attention, and give-and-take.  But it's not all seriousness.  It's laughs & giggles.  It's a water fight while doing the dishes.  It's asking him/her, "Would you like to go on a date with me this Saturday?" -- even if you've been together for years.  It's giving him/her a smirk and a slap on the ass as you walk by.  It's flirting like you're fifteen again.

So to Jonathan, my husband and closest friend -- I'm so glad I have a "love life" with you.  I'm glad we "do love life things, and talk lovey to each other, and all that lovey-dovey stuff."  :)  Always your girl, xoxo.

here's to our armed forces.

Well those two weeks flew by in the blink of an eye.  Having Jonathan home was so good for my heart, and it was difficult, as always, to let go of each other at the airport.  He was sick at the beginning of the R&R, and I was sick during the trip, as well.  But Jon kept saying, "I just want to be with you, whether we're in sick or out doing stuff."  What a good guy I have!  It was so hard to let go.

These beautiful pictures were captured by Nate Thomas!

It's such a huge adjustment going from being with my husband almost constantly for two weeks to being separated by an ocean and an 8.5-hour time difference.  Going from hugging, kissing, and touching to having go without his embrace when I need it the most.  Going from, "What do you want to do today?" to emailing and hoping for a phone call.  This is the third time I've had to go through this adjustment, and I'm stronger this time than the two times before.  I miss him like hell, but I know I've walked this road before and made it through alive, so I know I can do it again.  On top of that, his deployment has supposedly been shortened -- I am just hoping that the Army sticks to this plan and that our guys will come home early!

It's a different kind of life, being married into the Army.  Your plans are no longer your own.  Your future is at the mercy of military officials far above your husband's rank.  It's difficult to "settle down" because the Army will send you wherever it needs you, regardless of what kinds of plans you think you have.  Jon will be out of the Army in about a year and a half, so this will not be a permanent way of life for us.  But, we are living it now.  Despite the uncertainty of Army life, I can't say that I regret marrying into it.  I am doing everything I can to emotionally support and love an incredible man who is serving this country and the American people.  We are not being reimbursed to the extent that we sacrifice, but that's okay, because the Army doesn't owe us anything.  The United States doesn't owe us anything.  We choose this lifestyle because we want to do our part to preserve the freedom our Constitution grants us.  We don't do it for money.  We do it for justice, for love, because it is right.  Maybe you support the war, maybe you don't, maybe you think the government is corrupt, maybe you think we are slowly losing our freedom, but one thing remains true, regardless of what "side" you are on -- there are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who are willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of freedom for the American people.  Be it Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or Coast Guard -- here's to our armed forces and the sacrifices they make for us.