The Life of a Young Navy Wife

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He will have to leave again.  I'm well aware that our chance at this 'normal life' will come to a close all too soon. Eventually we'll be adjusting to a different normal like we've done before.

But I confess that I enjoy hearing those loud boots climbing up the stairs at the end of the day.  Being able to be irritated by him without the fear that he will have to leave in a week.  Seeing him everyday for the past year has been a gift and one I may take for granted some days but deep inside I am thankful. 

Being a navy wife is really special.  I've had to grow leaps and bounds in a matter of weeks at a time.  I've messed up really bad a few times but learning those hard lessons has made me the girl I am today. My relationships are much more meaningful these days, especially with family.  I soak up the time we have together when we're able to visit.  I can't even begin to tell you how many amazing people i've met along the way. We have toured around the east coast learning about our country's history (I love history!).  We have a steady paycheck and health insurance for the last two years.  I get to shop at the commissary with my green bags. (Thanks ej!) There's so much more..

 I heard a JAG officer once tell a crowd that as a wife you need to take care of your sailor and watch out for him. I didn't realize at the time how his words would become so meaningful.  He's right I have an incredible role being able to make life at home safe, fun, and enjoyable for darren.  I like being the one to walk this journey with him. 

I'm sad when he has to leave and every so often i'll cry because i miss him so much but God provides every step of the way for both of us and i'm grateful for that.   

Staying faithful is not hard to do when he is away.  Eagerly i'll wait for a letter and when one finally comes I hold onto it and read it at least five times.  Getting emails and phone calls show that i'm cared for.  He thinks about me and he reminds me how special I am during those long months.  Deployments don't have to be 6-7 months of torture. It's all in how you choose to see it i've learned.

I've met some who have a pity party day after day and then i've met some strong woman who go on living life with an honest smile.

When someone asks how I manage during deployments i'll say, I like to think that the first and last two weeks are the hardest but the in between time you find a groove and accept a new normal for the time being.

I don't hold any bitterness in my heart towards the navy today.  We have a love/hate relationship to be completely honest.  One minute you are doing one thing and then you get a phone call that changes life as you know it and you quickly adjust to a new idea of life only to receive another phone call. :) It's okay though, i think change is good for us.

Garrett will also have to learn to experience life without his father there every day and although it causes some pain for each of us we know we'll be okay.  God's will is for us to be in the Navy that i'm sure. 

 It's the hardest part of what he does but knowing the cause for which he leaves makes me proud.  I stand behind him 100% and often encourage him to go further in his career. He is one of the most loyal and honest men i've met and I treats people kindly.  He's a quiet leader but the kind of man you'd want leading a group of people because he is worthy of people's respect.  That's my bias opinion of course. :) I believe in what he is doing and that's why I don't grumble to him when we find out news that he'll have to be gone or the idea of having to be a navy wife for many more years to come. 

I support him and that is a job I don't mind having.

~*~

So for this next year we're going to call this our home.  Who knows where we'll be after our year here but for now i'm living all here.

(i'll post more pictures later! The homeowner fixed up the front porch recently and it looks great. This is an older picture so i'll have to post a new one eventually)