Being a Navy Wife or any military spouse deserves it's own title. It's hard work. You wear many hats. You deal with all the things a civilian wife/mom deals with and then some. You go on for weeks and months at a time not seeing or hearing from your spouse, relying solely on emails or packages. Your children are deprived from seeing their father or mother. Sometimes, you feel like a single parent- taking care of household duties (even the manly stuff like mowing the lawn & taking out the garbage lol), errands, groceries, kid's activities and appointments, financial planning, working, schooling, and the list goes on. Things such as- distance, finances, communication, in-laws, careers, children, infidelity, mental health, deployments, etc. can definitely put a strain on your relationship and your life in general. I mean, seriously, how many 20 year old's have to start making wills?
Overtime, it does get easier. The distance doesn't but everything else seems too.
Being a successful military spouse requires God, love, careful planning, and a whole lot of patience. He's making a sacrifice, and when you chose to marry him, you signed up for that same sacrifice. Sorry but, it's a packaged deal. Remember that old saying? "Beside every strong man, is an even stronger woman." Remember, your husband, if he's anything like mine, does what he does, to make you and his family proud. So return that to him! Support your husband- he relies on you as his wife, for this. Every sailor needs support from their loved ones. Respect him, he might not always feel respected among peers, don't add to that stress. Help him, it's not easy for him to be on a ship for weeks,months, or years at a time! Honor him, always, always, always, make sure he feels like number one. This is key in any marriage! Remain faithful to him- He's away a lot, he needs to know that he's coming home to someone who loves him. Communicate with him- He needs to feel like he's still part of the family/head of the household, include him in everything that goes on. These are all some things that I've had to learn over time to make our transition into and out of deployments and under-ways go a little smoother.
Sometimes, your mind is constantly worried, wondering, wandering, and anxious, feels almost like your mind doesn't even have any time for itself...but honestly, I wouldn't give my Sailor up for the world.
It seems so stressful, so people wonder- what makes it all worth it?
To know that my husband is out there, risking his life, making a difference, saving the world, being a hero- that's an amazing feeling. I couldn't be more proud. It's such a rewarding feeling when you watch him come off that ship and you get to hold him in your arms.
Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day
to all those amazing ladies/fellas that keep on supporting their Sailors!
I look up to so many fellow Military Wives/Husbands for how strong they all are!
So cheers! To The heroes behind the heroes!
