Chapter 1: Distinguishing between "Families"
I have been SO busy trying to keep my mind off of this deployment. I went home to Delaware for three weeks, and I spent a week with my family in Georgia. It definitely made time fly by, but it also made me realize that family plays an extremely important role in getting through deployment. Being stationed here is Hawaii has made that so difficult for me, especially when my family and Paul's family is on the East coast and I found that it is important to establish a strong thread of friends in the area where you are stationed, because the people that I have met out here have become my "Military Family". The are the only ones who really understand. Although your family always says they will be there for you through everything, they truly don't understand what its like unless they have been put in the same situation, and most likely they haven't. While I was home I learned that my family really does miss me... Paul's family really does miss him. Everyone has a different way of showing it.
TO ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS... This is where I need your input.. For our families to better understand our lifestyle and situation... please (If you feel comfortable) give me some of your input on this subject.
While we all LOVE our families back at home with everything we have... It's important for us to help them understand our lifestyle. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I love my family to death.. I grew up extremely close with them all. And I was one of the first ones to move away from Delaware. Needless to say; it was a very big deal. I miss my family so much, and its so hard to move to a different place and start completely new. It's been 7 months and some days since I moved to Hawaii. When I was home almost everyone begged me to stay home because my husband is deployed; without understanding that I now have 2 families, they thought I was basically out here just waiting.. which isn't true. I'm "Holding down the fort" for when my husband gets home. This is "Our Home" now and it feels awesome to have our own family together, Me, Paul & our puppy :). I have my family from home, and I have my "Military Family".
MY FAMILIES :)
Sammy (my sister)- Me- Sabrina (sister-in-law)
Mom- Me- Sammy
Me- Staci (My cousin, DE)
Talia (My cousin, GA) - Me
My Military Family
The three amigos- My support system :)
I think that being separated from people that are going through the same thing as you, makes the situation harder. Although, there are some disadvantages of living with people who "think" they are in the "same" situation as you- it can get very sticky- very fast.
Which leads me to my next subject...
Chapter 2: Drama with the Wives
Well... Each of us thinks that we all know what each other is going through. Even my very close friend and I cant even say that about each other... Something always differs in each relationship. Bree and I have gotten very close and while our men are with each other... call us around the same exact time- when they even do call.. and they have the same job... they are the same rank... and they do the same things... even work out together- I don't know what she is going through because she is under the stress of not being married to her Marine, and I am under the stress of Being married to mine. I can't specifically sit here and tell you her troubles but from my perspective, it has to be hard... Not being the 1st to know if something did happen, less money, basically waiting and the anticipation for him to get home and be married must be insane. But I can say that for me- my troubles are the bills.. questioning- what if something happens to him... I WILL be the first to know... but who would I go to? I am so far from home... So far from my family.. I am alone.. So for everyone who thinks they know- they may know a little... but deep down there is always something yearning.
Publicizing when you talk to your marine also causes trouble. I have seen it cause trouble very close to me and also I have seen it cause trouble from thousands of miles away. Some of us don't get to talk to our Marines as often as we like. Exaggerating from time to time can also cause issues. Don't say its been three weeks, unless if its been three weeks. Because most likely, your friends know- maybe you were with them the last time you talked to him and it wasn't three weeks, it really hurts the people who REALLY haven't heard from their marine in 3 weeks.
Chapter 3: What are you doing to keep yourself busy?
Well... I think to start off we all handle deployment differently but some days- you MUST and absolutely MUST go outside.. yes that entails getting a shower.. putting on clothes maybe put in a little effort to do your hair and makeup... Don't forget to take the trash out on your way! ;) But, no... really.. Be a couch potato. It makes the time FLY BY!! (Sarcasm) -It will make the time drag by actually. This is still my first deployment but three months into it- I have learned a TON! Its so easy to stay completely faithful to your man when you are completely head over heals for each other, so that means get out- have some fun! And meet new people! When you got married you signed a marriage licence- not the deed to your life. You're allowed to have friends. If you trust your husband and he trusts you then my all means- make as many friends as you can! Because I can already tell you- being around the same women who think they are is the SAME EXACT situation as you- will drive you absolutely NUTS and BONKERS and CRAZY! Its important to be a well rounded person. Especially when you are by yourself... EVERYONE will have the days where they want to lay on the couch and do nothing and eat ice cream and watch lifetime movie network all day and that's totally fine!! But get out and do stuff! Meet new people!
I have been playing on a softball team and I have met a ton of new people and its awesome to be around people who know the military lifestyle and respect that my husband is not here. Just because I have other guy friends doesn't mean I am not faithful to my Marine because I made a promise to him- and to God... I will ALWAYS be faithful. I love Paul with everything I have. - But back to my subject of keeping yourself busy... I started selling Mary Kay- which is awesome because I love helping people, and I am helping them keep their skin healthy. I am also moving on base is a couple weeks so I have to pack all my stuff and I am doing it neatly- and being organized about it so I don't have to do it all last minute. So go out- join a team.. go to the gym.. hang out with friends.. meet new people.. get a job.. And deployment will fly by, because it is going by pretty fast for me :) I think that I am coping very well.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT I NEED TO WORK ON- but I'm kicking deployments ass :):)
Chapter 4: TIME TO LAUGH
COMPLIMENTS OF MELISSA JENK
Some really awesome comebacks. Thought they were pretty clever and all you girls could use a laugh!
We get a lot of stupid questions and comments. Here are some responses for the next time you get one.
Do you miss him?
-No. I love being alone. The silence is warming. I enjoy fixing everything that breaks and cuddling with my pillow.
My boyfriend is out of town on business, I know how you feel.
-Yes I hear there is a huge mortar problem in Michigan.
Aren't you afraid he'll die?
-No, I had actually forgotten that that was a possibility, but thank you. Thank you for reminding me.
I don't know how you manage, I couldn't do it.
-Thank god it's not you then. Phew.
At least he's not in Iraq/Afghanistan/Qatar.
-Hes' not!? Shit, that changes everything.
Do you think he'll come home for Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary?
-I don't know yet, he just put in his leave request to the Taliban, we're still waiting for a response.
What are you going to do to keep busy while he's gone?
-I don't know. Since he's been gone the house cleans itself, the bills are magically paid, and the kids are angels.
How many days until he gets out?
- Depends. How many days until you join?
You'll get used to it.
-Yeah, the rigorous schedule is something I get used to. I'm actually a robot. I love watching the news, and the surprise missions are like tiny birthday presents from hell. Yes, I'm getting used to it like I get used to a tooth ache.
What is he doing over there?
-Knitting.
He signed up for it. It's his fault is anything happens to him.
- Yes, and it's your fault for any teeth you're about to lose.
In my opinion -
-*look at your phone* Sorry, my grandmother is calling from her grave, I have to get this.
That's awful, I'm sorry!
- Don't be, he looked hot doing it. He's good. Did your husband fix your sink?
Why don't you just go see him?
-They frown upon strangers 'round those parts, but by all means, go visit and let me know how it goes.
Don't worry, he'll be home soon.
-Really? I thought we had 8 months left. Thank goodness you reminded me.
How do you go without sex?
- Luckily we hold our relationship to a higher standard than simply our physical contact. Oh, and I have self control. Oh, and I only want one man. It's super easy that way.
What if he doesn't come back?
- Then I will cry until I'm sick to my stomach and I feel like my body is going to break apart. Then I will sleep alone in our bed and have dreams of him being with me only to wake up to him still being gone, knowing he will never come home and that I never got to say goodbye. Oh, too much information? My bad.
Could he not finish college?
- Nah those Taliban guys don't like to negotiate.
How can you support someone that kills people?
- It doesn't count if it's in a different zip code.
Don't you worry he'll cheat over there?
-Yes, I'm super worried that he's going to want to sleep with a woman who isn't allowed to speak or someone he works with and risk losing his job. That's what I'm uber worried about.
How can you marry someone who is gone for so long?
-At least we don't spend 12 months thinking up new ways to hate each other like....oh...sorry.
You look tired.
- Yeah unfortunately the middle east is in a different hemisphere and no one will move it.
You know he's going to miss out on the kids' lives.
- I was banking on them living quite a few years. I think they're good. And we have those crazy telegraph do-dads and boxes that you can talk to people through.
You never know what goes on over there and his buddies aren't going to rat him out.
- Yeah, because they're all eating and sleeping.
The time will fly.
-Time will fly, pigs will fly, hell will freeze over....I'm still waiting.
You're lucky.
- ....compared to.....?
Fuck the troops.
-*whisper* Seven days.
Wouldn't you rather be with someone who's home? Convenience < Quality
Did you hear about the soldiers killed in -
-Awesome, thank you. I was hoping someone would slip that into conversation today.
Can't you text him?
-Why didn't I think of that!?
That sucks.
- Well aware.
Aren't you worried he's going to come back and go crazy and kill you in your sleep or something?
-Oh that's nothing new.
Are you pregnant!? What if you don't get another chance?
- Do I look pregnant?
Oh he's in the military...the easy way out.
- Do you take automatic weaponry with you to brush your teeth?
You deserve someone who can be there for you.
-Well mine has special powers that yours doesn't.
You should spend more time being proud than sad.
- I tried that and it sucked, so now I'm taking the Ben & Jerry approach. Feel free to ride your butterfly out of here.
The front lines are the most dangerous.
- Dammit, I thought they aimed for the back.
You're single, it's time to party!
-what?
If there's anything I can do, let me know.
- I hope you're a magician with unlimited minutes.
How do you do it?
-I haven't written down the process yet, but I'll get back to you
Now- I think I am going to take a break from this entry :) I will definitely try to continue this Deployment Diaries again soon :) there is much more I need to talk about!
Remember- We are all part of this together! We are a team. Team Wives! Now let's Kick ass!
SEMPER FI LADIES <3
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