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In my life

Driving home today from visiting my parents, I listened to the same six CDs over and over again for six hours: Queen: Greatest Hits disc one and two, Torches by Foster the People, Elton John's Greatest Hits disc one, Rubber Soul by--of course--the Beatles, and Beggar's Banquet by the Stones. I actually, um, borrowed the Queen CD from my momma because I've been obsessed with the song "I Want to Break Free" after watching a special on Freddie Mercury a couple months ago. Anyways, there I was driving on a straight stretch of road for hours, listening to Rubber Soul for the second or third time, thinking about life and singing loudly to my sleeping babies.

Rocking out in the mini van
North Carolina April 2012
When people find out that my husband is active duty Navy, I frequently hear, "I don't know how you move so often!" I don't know how we do what we do either. These past couple moves in North Carolina--local moves-- my parents helped us unpack. When I moved to New Hampshire, my granny came with me and helped me settle in while my husband's submarine changed homeports. The Navy hasn't moved us yet now that our family includes a cat, a dog, and three boys, but we did well moving across town. But why do I move with my husband? Why did I put college on hold, taking classes here and there, packing up my children, and dealing with his unpredictable schedule? I think at one point or another, military wives feel like the military comes first (because it does). I don't mean that he puts the military before our marriage; I mean, if the Navy calls him in, he's gone, no matter what I have planned.

My sister had her first child while her husband was on deployment. Coincidentally, he called as his daughter was crowning, encouraging his wife over the phone, hearing his baby's first cries from far away. He met his daughter when she was two weeks and a day old at an airport, where my sister waited with their little girl, both wearing beautiful dresses. She's handled everything marvelously, always smiling and excitedly waiting for her husband to finally meet their little girl. Personally, I think I would have cried and moped much more than my sister has. I'm so proud of her and so happy that their family is now enjoying leave together.

 The long answer is that I am proud of what my husband does and my heart melts when I see him in uniform. He does his job well and works hard. I'm proud of what he's achieved and am happy to be by his side as he keeps working towards his dreams. I love that he supports me in my endeavors and finds me to be funny. I can talk to him about anything. I think he is amazing. Sometimes, I bet he thinks I'm pretty cool too-- maybe. The short answer is much more simple: love. I just love him and want to be where he is. Sometimes, I think, love makes hard things easier. Of course I will move to New Hampshire in January with you. Of course I will unpack the house by myself while you are away. Multiple times, of course.
Hawaii January 2010
Living in this area with the friends we have made, I know why people settle down, raise their children in one area. I would love to watch D's friends grow up with him. In about a year, we will move to South Carolina. A year after that, my husband will be back on a submarine. I don't know if it is because we are coming up on the "year mark," but I keep thinking about what it will be like once he gets back on subs, especially now with three children. I know it will be very different from the STA-21 program (mostly the home every night part). Even with the challenges, I would always choose the life I have with you, husband.


"In My Life"
Lennon/McCartney

There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

In my life I love you more
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