When did my life become Commissaries and Exchanges instead of Publix and Walmart? I never thought I'd miss a Walmart as much as I do now sometimes. And I never thought I'd have an issue finding unsweetened almond milk or canned pumpkin puree (not the pie mix) but, lo and behold, those are 2 things that I miss on a daily basis! Before I moved here, unsweetened almond milk was a staple. And have a dog with a sensitive stomach that pumpkin is needed sometimes! You'd be amazed at the things you take for granted at your local grocery store back in the states. We've got the basics, plus a little more.. But, a lot of stuff has to be ordered.
When did my life becoming packing up and moving all of the time? I grew up in a super stable environment. We moved once when I was growing up, but it was about 2 miles down the road. I never switched schools, I never had to make all new friends.. And here I am picking up and moving every couple of years. Sometimes state to state, this time it was to another country. I always thought at my age (almost 25) I'd have a cute, little house that was all mine to do whatever I wanted with. I have a cute, little house.. It's not mine, though. It's the governments. Yay, living on base! It's definitely better than the hotel we were living in before. And I know my husband thinks it's way better than living on the ship!
When did I start making some of the best friends I've ever had and meeting some of the nicest women in the world, only to say goodbye so soon? Sometimes it's just a couple of months later, other times I get the pleasure of having them around for a couple of years. But each and every one of them have an impact on me. Growing up I pretty much kept the same friends, unless they moved away or we just grew apart. I never thought I'd meet people I felt such an instant bond with only to have such a short time with them. Ultimately in the end it's so worth it to have their company and friendship because it's the only way to make it through this life, but it's bittersweet!
When did I become more and more comfortable with spending more time away from my husband than I do with him? That doesn't mean I don't miss him or I'm happy when he leaves or anything. But over the past 3 years, doing two 7 month deployments back to back, various underways lasting from 2 weeks to over a month, a C school that was 6 months long.. Not to mention the duty days when he is 'home' where he doesn't get to come home.. I've spent a lot of time by myself and it gets easier! I just never thought it'd be like this when I imagined my marriage.
When did my life become this life? It's not something I ever dreamed of. When I was a little girl I never thought I'd be doing this day in and day out..
When did I become this crazy independent person, who finally appreciates the little things, is more than grateful but beyond blessed to have super, amazing friends and has seen and experienced things that most people from my neck of the woods never will? When did this happen?! I never thought I'd adjust to this, I never thought I'd be able to cope. But I guess you're really not supposed to say 'never', because then God makes you do what you think you can't do.
