• The Army Wife Chapters,  The Marriage Chapters

    Reflection – Deployment, Homecoming, Proposal, Marriage

    Two years ago on July 3rd, Hawk told me he was deploying. And that was the beginning of it all. The beginning of me realizing that even though I swore I’d never fall for an Army dude, I was quickly on my way to falling in love with one and couldn’t imagine my life without him in it. And now that Army dude who told me he was leaving for a year, that Army dude who waited for my reaction before he officially asked me out, that Army dude whom I fell madly and deeply in love with will become my husband in 58 days. It’s a funny thing how…

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    Week 30: London Recap Day 3

    Seven months. It’s been seven months since Hawk left. And I can’t help but reflect on London and our time together there. Those 4 1/2 days were really what we needed to help see us through to the end. The days pass oh so slowly, but the months seem to pass by quicker. Soon, soon he will be home again. I can’t wait for that day! Day 3 – August 30, 2013 We woke up early the next morning for another full adventurous day. Since we did the second day of the Double Decker bus tour we were able to hear the marching band as they went to march down…

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    Week 29: London Recap Day 2

    After our long awaited airport reunion, we experienced our first venture on the Tube, and located the flat in Islington, London we were sharing with another soldier family. We talked and I kept reaching over to touch his arm because I finally could. No longer were we looking through the computer screen longingly – I could finally touch his arm or grab his hand. It was something I took for granted before the deployment, but never again. We also exchanged early anniversary presents. I got him a fancy Fossil watch and he bought me a new camera to chronicle this great adventure we were on together. After talking most of…

  • The Army Wife Chapters

    Week 29: The Birthday Box

    I wanted to make Hawk’s birthday as special as it possibly could be with him being 5,550 miles away from his favorite places, his favorite things,  and his favorite people. After brainstorming a bit, the Birthday Box was born. Anyone who knows Hawk for even the slightest amount of time will learn that he lives and breaths the University of South Florida’s Bulls. It didn’t take much time to come up with the box decorations. After the box was decorated came the stuffing part! I included a Bulls Flag at his request to hang outside his “house,” since his neighbor hung a Gator’s flag up…and Hawk just couldn’t have that…

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    Week 26: London Recap Day 1

    Hawk has officially been gone for six months. I almost shake my head with amazement because I can’t believe I still functioned after Day One, and here, six months later we are thriving. It’s still hard every day. Some days it is still really, really hard, but here we are doing something that would tear many others apart. Here I am doing something I never ever thought I was capable of doing…and it’s only by the grace of God. It’s been six months since Farewell, and three weeks since London. I haven’t written about the incredible reunion yet because maybe I just liked keeping it between us, but also because…

  • The Army Wife Chapters

    Week 22: Packing & Proof

    In one short week I will finally be on my way to London to be reunited with my best friend! It is so surreal. Hawk and I have been counting down for this trip, this precious time together, for so long. Now that it is actually a reality and almost here it seems too good to be true. It seems just a dream. But the days pass, and I have not only my bag almost all packed but his as well. Last weekend we had a sweet Skype date where we raided his closet and he told me what clothes he wanted me to bring him (since he doesn’t have…

  • The Army Wife Chapters

    Week 20: Photolog – Army Girl

    I have become an Army girl. Like I’ve said before, a man in the military was always one of my turnoffs. So, sometimes the irony is overwhelming. Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself falling for an Army dude. And here I am, wearing his jacket, shirt, and hat. Never say never, my dears ; )

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    Week 19: The Difference a Year Can Make

    I’m a big journaler. This isn’t a surprise to anyone who knows me. Hawk actually handmade me a journal for my birthday last year because he knew it was something I would use and cherish – and I do.  So, it isn’t an unusual occurrence for me to randomly read some of my past journal entries. However, what is new is when I decided I wanted to read some to Hawk to reminisce about the day he asked me out. It’s comical now to reread all my thoughts and analytical wonderings and the insecurities that seemed to plague me during our “getting to know you as more than friends” on…

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    Week 17: Photolog – Beach Loves

    4 Months down. 6ish to go. I’m at the beach this weekend, so I only thought it proper to include some pictures of Hawk and me at the beach, because face it, we are Florida kids through and through. I miss the beach with my guy. One of our favorite things to do is walk the beach together. Holding hands. Talking. Laughing. Just being in one another’s presence. Now this became a greater problem this particular trip considering Hawk is 5,550 miles away. However, due to twenty-first century marvels, I was able to Skype him on the beach! He was grateful, not just to see me, but especially just to…

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    Week 16: On the Phrase “Overbeforeyouknowit”

    The first time I heard that phrase was right when Hawk left for Annual Training…the day after he asked me out. At the time, I was like “Oh, yeah, these days will fly by!” Foolish, girl. It seemed like the longest two weeks ever. Because even back then, I knew he was going to deploy. And those two weeks symbolized the deployment for me. Many times I battled thoughts like “This is only the beginning!” “If I’m going crazy in two weeks, how on earth am I going to handle FIFTY-two weeks!” Thus, began my hatred for the phrase #overbeforeyouknowit. And yet, yesterday I pulled up my email and saw…

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    Week 14: The Box O’ Stuff

    Now that Hawk has finally received it, I can’t spoil the surprise. Ever since Farewell, I have been thinking of little things that I wanted to send him. As the weeks passed, I began to slowly set aside things on my dresser until I finally made the trip to the post office to get a Priority box to mail it in. Of course, Hawk requested only two things: An iPod case and Sour Jacks. Wouldn’t you know that Sour Jacks just so happen to be some of the hardest candies to locate on the face of this earth. Sour Patch Kids? No problem, they are everywhere, but does he want…