Reality Check

Kolt and I spent the afternoon with our very dear friend, Capt Annie Nesbit. She and another of our good friends deploys for Afghanistan on Friday. We've known this day was coming since May, but the fact that it's actually here, that they're leaving is just surreal. I have so much respect for these women who are leaving behind their families with young children because they know there's more to life than enjoying your little bubble and never getting outside of it. They are genuine real life heroes and I'm very thankful to know them and to be called their friend.

All that being said, it makes me realize that Kolt will be leaving soon too. He hasn't received his tasking letter yet, but it's got to be coming soon. I keep thinking that I'm going to be such a mess, that I'm not going to be able to handle it, but honestly, what choice do I have? I have ALWAYS HATED it when women make the comment, "I don't know how military wives do it. I could never be separated that long from my husband." Maybe this is just me taking it personally, but I always want to respond with, "Why? Do you think you love your husband more than I love mine because I CAN be separated from him? Do you think that you just stop living when they leave and crumple up and die?" NO. You just keep on keeping on. You go about your life, your days, weeks, and months because what choice do you have? Especially when you have children. This has been one of my biggest pet peeves. I see people make that comment on facebook all the time and it drives me bonkers. "I don't know how you do it." Ug. Just don't say anything if that's all you can think to say. Or when they make the comment "I'd never let my husband join the military." LET him?? It's not a matter of let. My husband had the selfless desire to serve the country he loves so much, how selfish and ungrateful would I be if I just said, "Um, no. Let someone else's husband do it." Where would we be as a nation if no one's husband, son, brother, father served? It just really makes me appreciate how incredible my husband is, and to be honest, how amazing I, along with the countless other military spouses are.

I've gotten side tracked and I'll step off my soap box now. This has been on my mind for quite a while, but I just wanted to remind myself of it before I start whining that I won't be able to do it. Of course I can, and I will. Not yet thank goodness, but soon enough. Watching my friends leave just makes it that much more real that within the next 6-7 months I'll be standing at the air port saying good bye to him. Ug. I may have to deal with it eventually but I think for now I'll try not to think about it, and instead turn my focus to the holidays, that is a whole different post, however.