Oh, For the Love...

I just needed to take a moment to write a virtual shout-out to that amazing husband of mine!

Things got pretty stressful for him at work recently and during one phone call I said off handedly "well, thanks for putting up with all this BS for the sake of our family" and after we got off the call I really sat there and thought about all the he's put up with and done for the love of me and our family.

In case some of you readers don't have loved ones in the military I'll let you in on a little secret, deployments aren't the only negative, in fact I'd say its not even the worst. The worst, in my opinion, is that you don't have control over your own life.
-You can't go someplace on the weekends without permission. Can you imagine being a teacher and having to get your principal to sign off on a form if you want to go visit a friend or go to a wedding over the weekend?
(I'm currently baffled that Geoff has 40some days of leave earned and there is no way that he could pay for his own ticket and fly back for Brian and Kate's wedding)
-Though it usually only happens once every 2-3 years, you don't get a say in where you live. And Army towns are worst! All you Navy and Air Force people don't know how good you've got it. The need for land puts Army bases in the middle of nowhere!
-The pay thing is tricky. Its not a lot but there are some good benefits. Health insurance and retirement are two of the biggest positives -let me just go on the record to say if those get messed with, all heck is breaking loose- they help make the bottom line of the pay check a little easier to deal with.
(I often say we are lucky because where else in today's economy can a family survive on one income and although its certainly not easy, I am lucky that I get to stay home with the boys)
-You get jerked around in terms of whats coming. You get told one thing and then it changes, then it goes back to what it was, then you're told good news, then its back to the old way, then its up in the air all together. You learn not to make plans, you learn not to get hopes up (easier for some than others- I'm one of those "others")

So Geoff, just know that I am so proud of you. You are so smart and have one of the most dedicated and amazing work ethics I have ever seen. You give it your all because thats all you know.  I'm glad you're in the Army and put up with all of this because thats what got you to Elon and brought you into my life.  Although you won't hear me say it when we're facing all of the hoops and red-tape, I really wouldn't change our life for anything. (though I really do want you home... like, now)