Day 201
The younger me would have never—ever, imagined myself married to someone in the military. I didn’t know anyone actively serving or grow up in a military community, so my only views of those in uniform were shaped by, well, movies. But, I suppose life takes us places we never anticipated all the time. So, 12 or so years ago, when a co-worker wanted to introduce me to her single neighbor who was incidentally, a fighter pilot, I told her that wasn’t my type.
I mean, I knew all about those fighter pilots. I had seen Top Gun, twice.
You know the end of the story. We did meet and I found that my perceptions do not always mesh with reality. This is a lesson I have learned about many things over the course of my life. For instance, fighter pilots are usually just really smart determined guys (and a handful of gals) that got good grades and managed to have enough focus to get themselves to a service academy or through ROTC and subsequently work really hard all the way through pilot training. And, there is a liberal dose of timing, luck and desire sprinkled into the equation. Also, I have never ONCE seen my husband nor his co-workers playing beach volleyball.*
Although they do give themselves call signs and run around calling each other cutesy names like, Trigger, Finch, Grynch, and Modo.
Did I say cutesy? I meant fierce.
So, now a decade later, one of my identities (other than working mom, accidental minimalist and daughter) is military spouse. Although unanticipated, it is an identity of which I am proud. We are a tough crowd spending many holidays and milestones either alone or as a single parent. We live life with the constant hum of fear nattering at our brain that this is the call or doorbell that will bring bad news. I could go on, but any more seems like whining and that is not my intent.
We do our own “soldiering on”.
This time when Trigger left we weren’t sure if he was going to be gone six months or a year. For those of you that aren’t military, you are probably wondering how in the world that works. The military folks reading this are nodding in complete understanding. So, we figured we would just plan for the worst case scenario and adjust downward.
And as you know, I moved the kids back to Colorado and started The Simple Year project.
And then, YEAH! He got to come home in six months.
DADDY, DADDY, DADDY
He will be with us for a week and then head back down to Texas to his assigned base. We decided not to move the kids out of their schools, so he is going solo for now. It is the type of decision military families make frequently. On the up side, no one will be firing rocket propelled grenades in his general direction.
He insists he is “on board” with The Simple Year and will comply even in his quasi-bachelor situation. However, he has been home for three days and has already inquired about his options for acquiring, new sunglasses, running shoes and a laptop.
See, this is where I do my best not to appear to be a controlling she-devil and just smile nicely and suggest that if we REALLY need those things perhaps we can search for them on EBay. I am still trying to be extra nice to him since he’s only been home a couple of days, so I said this doing my best kindergarten teacher impersonation, speaking in a high pitched slow voice.
So, it might be a bit of an uphill battle. But in all honesty he has never personally purchased many things unless you can get it at a liquor store and only occasionally radio shack (yes, they are still doing a brisk business in West Texas).
I think we can do it…
*For those of you that have never seen it, I give you the beach volleyball scene from Top Gun.
Congrats on the early return!!! Also – thank you for the beach volleyball scene – I will NEVER tire of it. Never. 🙂
Thanks Kim, and I watched the scene a couple of times last night…for research
Early return is the best news! So glad he’s back!! We can send him some buddy passes so he can fly up for the weekends, just let me know where to send them!!
I’m happy for you all (or Y’All for those West Texans!) that he is home and safe! Enjoy him while he is there!!
Thanks Sus, we are happy he is safe as well. Hope all is well back home.
I love your posts…. welcome home Chris & we are finally in San Antonio should you need anything or somewhere to come hang out once you get to TX (not sure where you’ll be)….sure wish we could see the girls & you too, Kerry!
Kerry, as you know, I always enjoy reading these updates! He should write an entry or two on how it is to come into the Simple Year this far in. I laughed aloud at the beach volleyball scene mention (Steve and I watched it religiously on the weekends as kids…).
And I appreciated how you reflected upon coming into the military life. I was in the same boat growing up, but my time on Guam completely turned that around. Stay strong and keep writing!
Thanks Sarah, I appreciate you reading in spite of the liberties I take with punctuation. Tell your mom hello 🙂
Boy, this post brought back some memories…and so did the Top Gun video….and tell Chris I don’t think it’s too late for him to work a beach volleyball scene into his life…he’s still got it… 🙂
Funny…I always thought he looked just like Val Kilmer…
Oh the fun of the “entitlement fix” they have when they get home lol!
I’m an army wife with 2 15 month deployments under my belt so I know exactly how you feel. I think the idea of finding them used is perfect. Bless the man that supports his wife’s crazy ideas. Lord knows we all need that 🙂
And bless the army wife, your husbands are gone so much and so long, it makes me feel guilty. Thanks for the kind words Gretchen.
Oh no! Don’t feel guilty. Time apart is hard either way!
I don’t even know your family personally…and that is just the best news I’ve had all day! Congrats and enjoy your time together. 🙂
Thanks for the nice note Amy. BTW, I appreciate all of your comments. -Kerry
Most of your posts make me laugh out loud but this one made me cry tears of joy for you all. Thank you for the sacrifices you all make for the USA.
How sweet Traci. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment 🙂
Was Just thinking of my childhood.We had military kids in school with us in a parochial grade school near an air force base.Learned alot about how they lived and coped.Just wish we had been able to keep in touch…they were awesome kids and I am sure they grew up to be awesome adults! Bless you all for your sacrifices.
If only you had Facebook. 🙂 Thanks for the words Lynn.
Thanks Lisa, that is sweet 🙂
so glad he’s home – and I don’t even know you or him…… but love your blog!!!
glad he’s home safe. I agree with your words – I didn’t think I would ever be interested in someone in the military, but I am and it’s not exactly how I thought it would be — in a good way.
Things are rarely what I expect. I’m glad it’s a good way for you
I love this post and I love Finch’s name mentioned. Thank you for the great talk tonight, it truly was food for my soul.
Great post..glad your husband is home safe and the picture with the girls is adorable! perhaps if he buys a laptop from a liquor store you could consider it “consumable”? 🙂
Well, I’m not aware of any combo laptop and liquor stores in Texas, just gun and liquor stores (and you can drive through!) But we’ll be on the look out 🙂
Reading this post caused my daughter to give her dad a big ‘ol hug and cuddle and he’s just hanging out on the living room floor. 🙂 Yay for all of you.
Love to hear your daughter appreciates her blessings, that is a rare quality in a teenager 🙂
What a beautiful ‘welcome home’ photo!
I am so glad that your husband has returned safely.
I enjoy your blog immensely.
Thank you Ally for the kind words and reading
That is the sweetest photo of the little girls hanging on their daddy. So glad he is home safe and sound! Yay!
Yay! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Those girls do LOVE their daddy.
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Welcome Home (late) and um, thanks for the volleyball 😉