Military Life 101

It’s just a big loop on repeat.

You start off waiting, and waiting for orders, and finally one day your spouse comes home and says “I got hard orders today to _____.” Then the emotions set in. Sadness and panic. You’re sad because you’re leaving this life you’ve made for yourself. This could have been the first home you’ve lived in, where your child was born, or where you made your best friend… and now you have to move, and leave it all behind. Oh, and the panic of moving. Finding a house. Do we live on or off base? Where is the safest area? Is it far from base? What about schools, and a job?

You get through the stress of moving, unpack and get settled and realize you have no friends here. Most likely, you post on the local Facebook page asking about FRG’s, ombudsman and making friends. It’s so awkward to go get breakfast with someone you met online, but you’re so desperate for a friend, you will literally do anything. Little do you know, that Facebook message, and Ihop date was the start to an amazing friendship. You start spending all your free time with this person, because your husbands work together, and she becomes your best friend. You were the “new wives” together, and got through everything together. You start thinking “maybe it isn’t so bad here.” Now you’re starting to feel comfortable, and you get a job. Things are going great. You have wonderful co workers, and you love what you do. Finally you can say “I like my life here!’

And then your spouse comes home and says “we’re probably moving to _____ in X months.” Then you start the waiting game, again.

But, you know what? You do it because you love this person more than anything in the world. You know. deep down inside, it will all be okay. And even though you’re leaving all the friends you made, you get to take your best friend with you. Plus, they’re only a plane ticket away. Just another excuse to travel, right? ;)

It’s a crazy life we live, but I couldn’t imagine it any other way!

sincerely, stephanie