I just returned from DH's BCT graduation in MO and it was amazing! I got to spend time with him on post Wednesday, then all day Thursday after the graduation ceremony, and finally a couple hours before he shipped out on Friday. The first moment I saw him I was so nervous! My dad and I drove up to the PX and there he was leaning against a wall waiting for his buddy to finish his shopping. He was standing there in his PT shorts and shirt complete with his silly Army issue glasses. He was lean, muscular, and down right sexy, despite the glasses. :P I slowly walked up to him, wanting to run and jump into his arms but worried I may get him in trouble. He beamed a smile down at me and wrapped his arms around me pulling me close. I took a deep breath in and took in his smell. It was divine! He smelled like a soldier. He kept saying all he wanted to do was keep his arms wrapped around me but he couldn't. The next day when we got back to the hotel that is all he did. He held me for hours, breathing in the scent my of my hair and kissing the top of my head. Then on Friday, when he left to his AIT, it was almost more painful than when I sent him to basic training. He marched off to another part of the post and we drove off to the airport. I waited around for 4 hours but he never showed at the airport nor did he call me. Eventually our plane came, we boarded and flew to Houston. About one hour after landing in Houston, just before our next flight, my cell phone rang and it was him. He was riding on a bus to Arizona and was somewhere in Oklahoma at the time. He has since arrived in Huachuca and is doing well. I will be traveling there in a few weeks to see him while he isn't in class or studying. We are going to go bike riding and hiking on post and then swimming when he gets off post passes. I am also bringing him a cell phone so we can talk in the evenings. He is so excited to see me again and to see our kitten, Shadow!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Step One Done!
I just returned from DH's BCT graduation in MO and it was amazing! I got to spend time with him on post Wednesday, then all day Thursday after the graduation ceremony, and finally a couple hours before he shipped out on Friday. The first moment I saw him I was so nervous! My dad and I drove up to the PX and there he was leaning against a wall waiting for his buddy to finish his shopping. He was standing there in his PT shorts and shirt complete with his silly Army issue glasses. He was lean, muscular, and down right sexy, despite the glasses. :P I slowly walked up to him, wanting to run and jump into his arms but worried I may get him in trouble. He beamed a smile down at me and wrapped his arms around me pulling me close. I took a deep breath in and took in his smell. It was divine! He smelled like a soldier. He kept saying all he wanted to do was keep his arms wrapped around me but he couldn't. The next day when we got back to the hotel that is all he did. He held me for hours, breathing in the scent my of my hair and kissing the top of my head. Then on Friday, when he left to his AIT, it was almost more painful than when I sent him to basic training. He marched off to another part of the post and we drove off to the airport. I waited around for 4 hours but he never showed at the airport nor did he call me. Eventually our plane came, we boarded and flew to Houston. About one hour after landing in Houston, just before our next flight, my cell phone rang and it was him. He was riding on a bus to Arizona and was somewhere in Oklahoma at the time. He has since arrived in Huachuca and is doing well. I will be traveling there in a few weeks to see him while he isn't in class or studying. We are going to go bike riding and hiking on post and then swimming when he gets off post passes. I am also bringing him a cell phone so we can talk in the evenings. He is so excited to see me again and to see our kitten, Shadow!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Excitement Mounting
I board the plane to MO tomorrow! My bag is nearly packed. I only have a few more little things to round up and then I am ready to go. I'm nervous, excited, downright giddy! He's been gone so long it doesn't even feel like I am going to see him.
I was a bit sad last night. I was trying to remember what he looked like and couldn't. I could remember his height, his build, the curve of his pelvic bone, the width of his forearm, the line of his collar bone... but I couldn't remember his face. I can see it as my mind remembers him, but if I had to describe him to someone I have no idea what the shape of his eyes are, the size of his nose, curvature of his smile. Although I doubt many couples can recall their loved one's exact features, it was still a bit depressing. However, it doesn't really matter how I remember him... that old body has been chiseled away. The husband I sent to basic training is no more.
He's more physically fit, mentally sharp, and even more romantic. His letters raved of his loving wife, his dearest and most precious. Its sad to have him gone, but the love we have cultivated in this absence is amazing. Unfortunately there is a time where absence no longer makes the heart grow fonder, but hopefully when my love deploys it won't be for long and we will get to talk often online and over the phone. Basic training is in ways harder than deployment. I could easily fly up to MO and walk around the post hoping to see him march by but that's not an option when he is training, although with him overseas that isn't an option at all. Plus there is more communication on average while soldiers are deployed than when they are in basic. Instead of sporadic letters that are 2 weeks behind, they often get to talk online with video cams and on the phone throughout the week. DH's MOS will have him at an established base at all times so he'll have more access to computers than those who are fighting in the fields.
I was a bit sad last night. I was trying to remember what he looked like and couldn't. I could remember his height, his build, the curve of his pelvic bone, the width of his forearm, the line of his collar bone... but I couldn't remember his face. I can see it as my mind remembers him, but if I had to describe him to someone I have no idea what the shape of his eyes are, the size of his nose, curvature of his smile. Although I doubt many couples can recall their loved one's exact features, it was still a bit depressing. However, it doesn't really matter how I remember him... that old body has been chiseled away. The husband I sent to basic training is no more.
He's more physically fit, mentally sharp, and even more romantic. His letters raved of his loving wife, his dearest and most precious. Its sad to have him gone, but the love we have cultivated in this absence is amazing. Unfortunately there is a time where absence no longer makes the heart grow fonder, but hopefully when my love deploys it won't be for long and we will get to talk often online and over the phone. Basic training is in ways harder than deployment. I could easily fly up to MO and walk around the post hoping to see him march by but that's not an option when he is training, although with him overseas that isn't an option at all. Plus there is more communication on average while soldiers are deployed than when they are in basic. Instead of sporadic letters that are 2 weeks behind, they often get to talk online with video cams and on the phone throughout the week. DH's MOS will have him at an established base at all times so he'll have more access to computers than those who are fighting in the fields.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Jumping in the Deep End!
My husband has been gone to Army Basic Training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO for nearly 3 months, and it's almost over! He graduates next week and in a couple days I will be flying with my dad out to Missouri. I can't wait to see him again! It has been driving me crazy for weeks thinking about seeing my husband again... What will he look like? What will his personality be now? His letters are so much more romantic than he ever has been in the past... what will this new found passion in him be like? We are going to his graduation in the morning. lunch with the in-laws then 4 or 5 hours of face time with my honey before dinner and sending him back to the Army's arms. I am more nervous than a new virgin bride. After all, we have only been married for about 6 months, just learning who we are together and the Army takes him away for 3 months and changes him. I have realized that every time the Army takes my husband, I will get a new one in return. Most of the time he will return a better man, sometimes it won't be so good, but either way, he'll still be my man.
This first separation really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In the past I was panicky and worried all the time. I hated to be alone and was worried about how I would go about my day to day without DH here... but we took him to the airport, I walked him to his gate, watched him board the plane and as it took off a few tears fell down my cheek. I only cried a few times during this whole time. At times it felt like my world was falling down around me but only once or twice and not the daily crisis I figured I would feel. One night in particular I realized the saddest revelation... next time he is taken from me... it will most likely be to the sandbox for 15 months and not somewhere in the US for 3. That was hard to deal with, but I figure... there isn't anything I can do about it so I just have to make as much out of every day I get him and live day by day when he is gone until he comes home again. Sometime when I have more time to explain I will chronicle my personal BCT - Basic Coping Training.
For now though... I GET TO SEE HIM!!! I get to smell him, feel his hand on my face, his arms around my waist... I can not w
ait! My bag is packed and I keep going over and over what I need and feel like I am going to inevitably forget something. I have the clothes, the shoes, the lingerie, the video camera, the tri-pod... what else do I need? I'm getting some coffee ice cream when we get there for a little surprise for him. He wrote that he wants to hold me, eat Italian food and coffee ice cream when he gets to AIT. I figured I could give him two of those things before he even leaves for AIT. I have the wardrobe planned but nothing else. I figure once that door closes behind us, all I want to do is let my husband love on me. I can not wait to just look into his eyes, smile, and breathe again.
This first separation really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In the past I was panicky and worried all the time. I hated to be alone and was worried about how I would go about my day to day without DH here... but we took him to the airport, I walked him to his gate, watched him board the plane and as it took off a few tears fell down my cheek. I only cried a few times during this whole time. At times it felt like my world was falling down around me but only once or twice and not the daily crisis I figured I would feel. One night in particular I realized the saddest revelation... next time he is taken from me... it will most likely be to the sandbox for 15 months and not somewhere in the US for 3. That was hard to deal with, but I figure... there isn't anything I can do about it so I just have to make as much out of every day I get him and live day by day when he is gone until he comes home again. Sometime when I have more time to explain I will chronicle my personal BCT - Basic Coping Training.
For now though... I GET TO SEE HIM!!! I get to smell him, feel his hand on my face, his arms around my waist... I can not w
ait! My bag is packed and I keep going over and over what I need and feel like I am going to inevitably forget something. I have the clothes, the shoes, the lingerie, the video camera, the tri-pod... what else do I need? I'm getting some coffee ice cream when we get there for a little surprise for him. He wrote that he wants to hold me, eat Italian food and coffee ice cream when he gets to AIT. I figured I could give him two of those things before he even leaves for AIT. I have the wardrobe planned but nothing else. I figure once that door closes behind us, all I want to do is let my husband love on me. I can not wait to just look into his eyes, smile, and breathe again.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Easing Into Things...
DH enlisted in October of 2008.
He had completed four years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps for the Air Force and five years of AFROTC at Angelo State University just to get stuck in the draw down. He put in for field training three times and was denied due to the lack of open spots. Finally, in his senior year at Angelo State University, he was accepted and we prepared for hi
m to finally ship off to officer training in the summer of 2007. I had a really hard time falling asleep the night I dropped him off at the airport. Our cat, Shadow, a mere kitten at the time, and I lay awake cuddling and crying over our sweetheart being gone. Well I cried, Shadow looked at me confused and tried to comfort as much as a baby kitten can. By the third day I was feeling a little better but still having issues sleeping. Late that day I received a call from DH stating that he would be coming home the next day. I was happy to see him again but very confused. It turns out that the doctor who signed off on his childhood allergy didn't sign the form correctly and so he was being sent home on a medical waiver. Needless to say DH was very discouraged and decided maybe he wasn't meant to be in the military after all. It was devastating because he had always dreamed of serving in the Air Force.
Shortly after he took some time off of school, because his loans were maxed out, and he started working at Sam's Club. It was a good job and he enjoyed working in the meat department, but it wasn't fulfilling. During that year we were engaged and married. Shortly after the wedding in August I saw the deepening depression coming over my husband and decided we nee
ded to get out of San Angelo, Texas. The very next month we packed all of our things and moved to Dallas, Texas. We stayed with his grandparents for a few months but were unable to find jobs despite looking everyday. I grew more and more worried that soon we would be in a complete financial rut and to top it all off, DH's loans were coming due very soon. I started talking about enlisting. Our mutual best friend, Trevor, had just finished Army basic training and was on his way to AIT and we had recently starting talking on Yahoo! chat again. I told DH we should go talk to the recruiters but he still wasn't ready to think about the military again. Finally I told him I was going to go talk to them if he wouldn't. I came home that night with booklets and read them aloud while DH rolled his eyes at me.
A couple days later we had a chance to talk with Trevor and he explained how the Army was paying off his student loans and giving him a hefty bonus. DH thought about it for a while and after considering the wages we would have to earn to make up for all the allowances, and the state our economy was in, he decided it was time to give it another go. The next day we were in the recruiter's office negotiating. I've since found out our bonus isn't that great, but the change in my husband is far more rewarding.
I went to the MEPS office in downtown Dallas to meet DH and watch him swear in. I waited around for nearly six hours while he finished his physicals and paperwork. He was supposed to swear in around noon and come five in the evening he was getting closer to being done. Watching him walk around the MEPS, report in to talk to the various personnel, and especially when he finally swore in to protect our great Country, I could tell my husband was back. The man I loved, the disciplined, dedicated and loyal man I feel in love with, was back. He had purpose again and a drive that burned bright in his eyes.
A couple weeks later we moved back to my parent's house to get me settled in before he shipped off to basic training. While we waited for his ship date we worked for Line
n's N' Things to pass the time and earn some extra money. We also cut his hair, which was really fun for me since I'd never done it before, and he looked ridiculous until he buzzed it all off. I watched as he shaved off his gorgeous red beard for the last time; the next time I see it it will be grey. And finally we packed his one bag and laid it at the foot of our bed. On December 29th my dad and I drove him to the airport and DH and I said our goodbyes.
He had completed four years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps for the Air Force and five years of AFROTC at Angelo State University just to get stuck in the draw down. He put in for field training three times and was denied due to the lack of open spots. Finally, in his senior year at Angelo State University, he was accepted and we prepared for hi
m to finally ship off to officer training in the summer of 2007. I had a really hard time falling asleep the night I dropped him off at the airport. Our cat, Shadow, a mere kitten at the time, and I lay awake cuddling and crying over our sweetheart being gone. Well I cried, Shadow looked at me confused and tried to comfort as much as a baby kitten can. By the third day I was feeling a little better but still having issues sleeping. Late that day I received a call from DH stating that he would be coming home the next day. I was happy to see him again but very confused. It turns out that the doctor who signed off on his childhood allergy didn't sign the form correctly and so he was being sent home on a medical waiver. Needless to say DH was very discouraged and decided maybe he wasn't meant to be in the military after all. It was devastating because he had always dreamed of serving in the Air Force.Shortly after he took some time off of school, because his loans were maxed out, and he started working at Sam's Club. It was a good job and he enjoyed working in the meat department, but it wasn't fulfilling. During that year we were engaged and married. Shortly after the wedding in August I saw the deepening depression coming over my husband and decided we nee
ded to get out of San Angelo, Texas. The very next month we packed all of our things and moved to Dallas, Texas. We stayed with his grandparents for a few months but were unable to find jobs despite looking everyday. I grew more and more worried that soon we would be in a complete financial rut and to top it all off, DH's loans were coming due very soon. I started talking about enlisting. Our mutual best friend, Trevor, had just finished Army basic training and was on his way to AIT and we had recently starting talking on Yahoo! chat again. I told DH we should go talk to the recruiters but he still wasn't ready to think about the military again. Finally I told him I was going to go talk to them if he wouldn't. I came home that night with booklets and read them aloud while DH rolled his eyes at me.A couple days later we had a chance to talk with Trevor and he explained how the Army was paying off his student loans and giving him a hefty bonus. DH thought about it for a while and after considering the wages we would have to earn to make up for all the allowances, and the state our economy was in, he decided it was time to give it another go. The next day we were in the recruiter's office negotiating. I've since found out our bonus isn't that great, but the change in my husband is far more rewarding.
I went to the MEPS office in downtown Dallas to meet DH and watch him swear in. I waited around for nearly six hours while he finished his physicals and paperwork. He was supposed to swear in around noon and come five in the evening he was getting closer to being done. Watching him walk around the MEPS, report in to talk to the various personnel, and especially when he finally swore in to protect our great Country, I could tell my husband was back. The man I loved, the disciplined, dedicated and loyal man I feel in love with, was back. He had purpose again and a drive that burned bright in his eyes.
A couple weeks later we moved back to my parent's house to get me settled in before he shipped off to basic training. While we waited for his ship date we worked for Line
n's N' Things to pass the time and earn some extra money. We also cut his hair, which was really fun for me since I'd never done it before, and he looked ridiculous until he buzzed it all off. I watched as he shaved off his gorgeous red beard for the last time; the next time I see it it will be grey. And finally we packed his one bag and laid it at the foot of our bed. On December 29th my dad and I drove him to the airport and DH and I said our goodbyes.
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