Military Life, I Miss You..

Even though it has been almost three months since my husband's 5-year contract with the Marines ended, I still find myself constantly thinking of the many military families out there and just how much I still miss military life. The main reason Rich decided not to re-enlist or put in his officer package (which was our second choice) was because way before he even joined the military in 2006, his main dream was to become a pilot. Come January he will be pursuing that dream and taking some courses through the aviation program in town. Military life is truly special and one-of-a-kind. The older I get, the more I realize how many military families are out there and how we truly shouldn't take each one for granted. As hard as deployments can be, and our family did three 7-month-long ones year after year, they undoubtedly strengthened our relationship & made us appreciate one another more. Having a baby without my husband with me was hard, raising her for her first six months without him then months 14-21 without him was hard, holidays & family parties without him was hard, but you know what, I wouldn't take it back if I had the choice at all! I'm so proud of who my husband was (is, firm believer in "once a marine, always a marine") and what our family turned out to be. The friends I have made through the military have become not only friends, but family. I know I will keep in touch with them for ever, or at least I hope so. And you know what's funny, I was almost nervous to live the military life right when Rich first told me his plans and desires to enlist back in 2005, but I'm so glad he did. Because of that, I have gained an experienced true respect, admiration, & love for the military. And every time I see a yellow ribbon around a tree, or even a military bumper sticker on a random vehicle, I think how proud I am that I was able to be a part of that.