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.
