Celebrating Ten Years of Marriage: Now & Then

Happy Anniversary Stephen Conway. I'd marry you all over

June 28, 2003

again.

This wasn't how I thought we'd spend our ten year anniversary. Overseas, somewhere tropical, is what I had  in mind. Guess I should have been more specific, lol. You're overseas, probably closer to a beach than I am. 

But soon you'll be home and we will celebrate. I'm thinking we should look through photo albums, laugh at all our funny memories. Maybe slow dance in the kitchen. Promise to spin me? :) 

You know what I love? I love knowing that I have ten years of memories with you! You know what else I love? Knowing we've only grown closer through all the battles we've been through. 

Basic Training Graduation 2003

Remember when...

I was to terrified to stay with you when you joined the Army, so I broke up with you...like three times? You always pursued me, literally chased me down, haha. You helped me keep faith in you, in us, in God. You kept telling me that all things were possible with God, even Army life. :)

Remember when...
It was my turn to tell you with God all things were possible?

Remember when...

Summer 2003

You told me we'd get married after Basic Training, after you had two years or so in the Army, and could support a family, but you couldn't stand being away from me so you proposed over the phone, and I married you a week after Basic graduation? Our families freaked! Haha. :)

First Summer We Dated 2001

Remember our First Christmas together as a married couple?

You were stationed in Korea. I was still in college saving every penny I earned waitressing at Mark's Feed Store so I could visit you over Christmas break. We spent Christmas Day cuddled in bed watching movies. Korea was so cold!

Remember when...

We used to wonder what our children would look like? How many we would have? What we would name them?  I wanted 12 kids, you wanted 4, so we settled for 2! lol :)  Aren't our children the most amazing creations ever? :) 

Remember when...

March 2005

You held our son for the first time. You were in Iraq, trying to make it home in time...when you came in the hospital room, you still had sand on your boots. I remember being so happy to see your face.

Remember when...

We made it to our first duty station in Colorado. Our first official time away from home...essentially still newlyweds, with a new baby. We had no clue what we were doing, but we made it, and by the grace of God, so did our son! Remember how we called him our little guinea pig? Haha. :) 

Remember when...

We fought all the time? You were always the first to say you were sorry, even if it was my fault. You never could stay mad long...me, well...I'm more stubborn. Sorry. I'm better, right? The best part about fighting was making up. Yeah. Make ups were the best. Wink. 

Oct. 2010 

Remember when...

I cried when Baby #2 was going to be born in Indiana, and not Kentucky like the rest of us? And I seriously considered driving to Kentucky when I went into labor? Haha. :) I used to pray our children had southern accents...I still pray that, lol.

Remember when...

You held me before you left for this last deployment. We were standing in the bathroom, in front of the sink. I was trying to keep it together, hoping you wouldn't come in seeing me struggling with my emotions, but you did.  I cried. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to see me crying. I'll never forget what you did. You reached out and pulled me tight against your chest, and held me. You let me cry, even though you were the one leaving for war.  Remember what you told me? You told me it was going to be okay, and you know what? You were right. You're coming home soon, and it's all going to be okay.

I love remembering. All the hugs, fights, kisses, tears, laughs--yeah I love remembering them all. You and I...well, we've kind of grown up together. We've been by each other's side for ten years, through it all, conquering one mountain at a time. You really are my best friend. Ten years isn't enough time with you. I'm glad we have the rest of our lives. 

US

Ten Years in the Making.

I'll see you soon sweetheart. Happy Anniversary baby. 

Redeployment Ready: The Crazy Ways We Prepare

Image from www.entertainmentwallpaper.com

Oh, I've been more than ready for this deployment to end. For months I've been wishing time would fly faster, and honestly it  has flown. 

At the beginning of the deployment I made a to do list  of all the things I wanted to accomplish while my hubby was away. I'll get to the list later, but today I want to discuss all the ways I'm preparing for his return.

click here to see my deployment list update (some things just didn't get done, lol)

It's occurred to me that we, Military Wives, do some crazy stuff to get ready for our Other Half to come home. Some things are down right comical. For example, I have a good friend that went on a very special waxing adventure before her husband came home...lol...I will not go into details, just know that it didn't turn out the way she had hoped. Good times. 

Losing weight, and toning up seem to be the default things to do when our hubbies are away. Do you even wanna know how much of my money has went to Jillian Michael's workout videos? I'm telling ya, it's almost shameful.

Me with Henna Hannah Hair!

We buy bronzing creams, new unmentionables (wink), search for the perfect dress to greet our man in, schedule hair/nail appointments, or dye our own hair (see my pics), and hit the tanning beds 'cause every lady knows that if you can't get rid of fat, you might as well tan it. After months of not shaving on a regular basis--oh, don't judge me, lol, if you're hubby was gone, you would totally take a hiatus from shaving--anyway...I'm in the market for a fancy new razor. Any recommendations? My Dad suggests I start with some lawn clippers, lol, totally joking.

This is Henna, not baby poo

So yes, in lots of crazy ways I'm preparing for my husband's return, but I want to! I want to be the best possible version of me for him, because he's my husband. You know, I LOVE how giddy his return makes me feel. After nearly 10 years of marriage I feel like it's the night before our wedding, but better. I now know my husband on a deeper level, and I now have a working knowledge of what love really is, and what it isn't. I can't wait to be with him again! 

...And I can't help but see the spiritual parallels to all my preparation. The Bible makes many references to Brides and Bridegrooms.

"[...]and his bride has prepared herself.
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” Rev 19: 8

Just like I should never stop preparing myself for my husband, I should never stop preparing myself for God. The greatest way I can prepare myself for my husband, is to become even more spiritually fit. The closer I get to God, the closer I get to my Spouse...that's just how it works.

So what about you? How do you get Redeployment Ready? Or Spiritually fit? I 'd love to hear from ya. :)