The story of us began 13 years ago. We met through friends as freshman in college and met again later when our frat/sorority houses were next door to each other. As cliche as it sounds, I knew he was the “one” when we started dating. He was the one who friends though would be the last one to settle down, rather than the first one married; and the last one to have kids, rather than the first! But it was a mutual infatuation and he proposed during my senior at school.
We were married in 2001 after I graduated school and settled into our little life. 2 1/2 years after the wedding, Little Man entered our life. What a blessing he was and is. 2 1/2 years after that, Squirt joined us! Our perfect family. One boy, one girl, what more could we ask for?!
J was never particularly happy with his career choice and as we neared 30, he decided that joining the Army was the direction he was supposed to take. I always knew from the beginning that this was something he had wanted to do, but I never wanted, or “allowed”, him to go for it. But at this point in our lives, something needed to change. J needed to do something he enjoyed and something that he excelled at. It was something he would regret not doing for the rest of his life if he didn’t join. So at 27, J became the “old man” at basic training. And he loved it. He was a natural and it made him happy. He was finally seeing the success of his hard work and being recognized for it.
I never imagined when we married 10 years ago that this is where life would take us, but after 4 years as a military family, I can’t imagine it any other way. I think it suits us all, even if it is difficult and we have encountered many bumps along the way. The deployment was a true test of us both and our family, but I knew that we would make it through and be stronger for it and we did. I found strength I didn’t know I had and discovered things I didn’t know I could do (like diagnose and fix a broken washing machine!).
J returned from Iraq in December 2011 and we all went back to the military life/civilian life balance, but the deployment isn’t over once the Soldier comes home. Reintegration was a struggle at times but I think we are finally through the biggest struggles and have hit our stride as a family again. It’s been quite a ride and I can’t wait to see what is in store for our future!
That’s who were are! Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!
-Kris