"I Understand"... Do You? Do You Really? | Anchors Aweigh

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"I Understand"... Do You? Do You Really?

Let me preface this by saying I absolutely love my life. I can't imagine it any other way, and I am so happy and content with the path God has laid out for Parker and me. That said, it's not always easy. I know you're thinking "Well, duh, life's never always sunshine and rainbows". Of course you're right, but the part of our lives that tests us the most is something that isn't a factor for everyone. You've probably guessed it by now. It's the military. 

I have said this six ways to Sunday: being a Navy wife is never something I planned on or even wanted. None of my immediate family, or close extended family for that matter, served in the military, and I was just clueless on the subject. To be frank, all I knew about the military is they all leave at some point, and not all of them come back. Sitting here having just typed that sentence, all I want to do is delete it, but that's the harsh reality of the military life. These men and women put it all on the line. All give some, and some give all. So why the heck would I grow up dreaming to be a military spouse? Like I said, I didn't. God has been so faithful to me and given me a husband more perfect for me than I could have even dreamed up. We truly are best friends, and I mean that. Amidst all the romance and the married stuff, we are simply besties for the resties (okay I had to laugh at that phrase). In allowing me to meet and fall in love with Parker, God showed me that his plans for me were soooo much bigger than the plans I had laid out for myself. Thank you Jesus for always knowing what's up, because man is this life fun and exciting and perfect and... you get the gist. 

It's an exciting life, but it comes with its share of hardships. I still feel like we are "babies". We haven't done the big thing yet- Parker has never had to deploy. That day will come quicker than I care to think about. He's already started flying a little longer, being gone for a week at a time, etc. And that stuff's just not fun. Parker is in the longest training pipeline possible (literally, the longest), so a lot of our friends are going to deploy before he will. Selfishly, I wish that weren't the case. I wish I was going through a deployment at the same time as my friends. Why? Because military spouses are the only ones who truly get what it's like to know your husband is overseas protecting our freedom.

The love and support of our family and non military friends really does mean the world. In fact, Parker and I would not be where we are today without them. That said, they can't fully understand what this lifestyle is like because they haven't lived it. They can empathize with us, but they will never truly understand, and that's okay. One of the biggest blessings through military life, if not the very biggest, has been the new friendships that have formed. I have met military spouses who have truly become some of my very best friends. They get it. They get it because they are living it too. Geography may have separated me from a lot of them, but they are a quick phone call, text, or email away if I ever need to vent. And sometimes, you just have to vent to someone who gets it. 

I am thankful for a community and close friends who will always understand. The reality is being a military wife demands a certain degree of independence, strength, and determination. I'm not tooting my own horn and saying I have mastered any of those things, but one day I hope to. With each duty station we come and go to- Pensacola, Kingsville, and now Corpus Christi, I have met women who make the rainy days of military life a little sunnier.

To my military spouse friends (you know who you are), I love you all so much and cannot imagine going through this journey without you. There have been way too many girls who have gotten me through the last two years to name, but know that you are appreciated and cherished. 
And now, a photo dump of pictures of people that, if the Navy would oh so kindly station us near, I wouldn't hate it. So basically I'd like to go to California, please.






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14 comments :

Semper Ag said...

This life can be hard at times, but with every deployment and separation, we've had a silver lining! A lot has to do with the network of military spouses! When the time comes, you'll see just how amazing people are when you're at a "low". :)

Unknown said...

At one point I saw myself being a navy wife, my HS boyfriend enlisted in the navy while we were dating and we spent the majority of our relationship apart. The Lord provided and we took two different paths, broke up, and ended up marrying the ones He chose for us! I still communicate with the girlfriends I made during that time. It's a bond like no other. Some are married to the military some civilian but we still connect with one another! I'm sure it's not easy but being married to the one you love makes it all worth it!

Amy said...

::hugs::
i can't even begin to understand so i won't try.
girl let it all out - vent as much as you need! <3
i'm "talking" to someone in the navy right now...and its a big thought process, even thinking of becoming a military girlfriend or maybe one day wife...its a lot to think of.

Megan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

I have always admired the network and closeness military families have. They always seem to be there supporting each other even with their own families are miles and miles away.. so they never feel alone.

Jen said...

This life is certainly not a walk in the park. I never saw myself marrying someone in the military but the connections that I have made with spouses has been amazing.

Mrs. M ~ a.k.a. ~ April said...

I had a pretty great experience while being a spouse whose husband was in the military. Unlike the horror stories, I met some pretty great ladies! And having friends and family that support you in this journey is HUGE! Thank you for serving along side your husband :)

Cramer Coffee and Jesus said...

My mom has always said this and I totally believe it: a military wife has a stronger love for her husband and a stronger sacrifice than anyone! hang in there, you got this! you're a great example of making it work and that it's not always easy. you'll be an example to many!

Anonymous said...

From an outsiders' perspective, it's so amazing how military spouses all bond together. You don't find that type of camaraderie in the civilian world. How amazing it is that you have been able to develop close bonds with your fellow Navy wifes!

Katherine Newsom said...

Oh , if only yall were coming out to the west coast.. San Diego is calling your name! We would love to add another to our blogger group! It's seriously fantastic and has grown so much but that is beside the point sort of (but hopefully you can find/start something similar in Virginia!) At each place we've been, there are only a handful, and I mean a handful of ladies that I've really connected with while in this journey and it is really amazing that bond you are talking about. Take the blog group - we are all military spouses and bloggers, so it's like a 2-for-1! I was nervous going to the first even (painting pottery in Nov.) but since everyone else is essentially in the same boat as you, they just get it. These ladies get it and they are here for you- no hidden fees or anything like that (Okay bad example. But you get it. No pun intended! If that even counts) Great post! Hope yall have a good weekend!
Katherine

Kirst Semler said...

I completely agree with you, my husband is leaving more and more now that his deployment is coming up and the navy wives I have met here have given me that extra strength to be ok! When you get to Norfolk I would love to meet ya (if that's not a creeper thing to say). You sound like you have met some amazing people along the way! That's awesome that they have been there for you!

Emily Stewart said...

Wahhhh I love this! To the point of tears I love this! Thanks for being a great friend..love youuu! :)

Emily Stewart said...

Wahhhh I love this! To the point of tears I love this! Thanks for being a great friend..love youuu! :)

Stephanie said...

Enjoy the time that you have with Parker sans deployment. They tend to change a lot of things! I do like to think that being a military couple has made us a stronger one because of the things we have had to endure. It is about seeing silver linings and not spending too much time thinking about all the awful things.

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