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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…
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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 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…
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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 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…
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Week 10: Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day. Like many others my mind is full of the price our freedom actually costs. And unlike times in the past, I can only allow those thoughts to linger for so long. I can only handle so many heartbreaking photos and stories of those who have lost their loved ones. This year I’m scrolling by quickly. Because my man isn’t home yet. And while the area he is deployed isn’t exactly in the most dangerous “hotspot,” danger still exists, not to mention the fact that flying alone carries elements of danger itself. (You should see the manual Hawk has of potential things that could go wrong. It’s…
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Our Story – and Waiting
I’ve had my experience with waiting. The dreaded word in this instant gratification culture. Waiting seems like a foreign thing when there seems to be an “app” for everything. The wait is the long line before the anticipated “roller coaster ride.” Although sometimes the line, the wait, seems to be a roller coaster in and of itself. Even though it may not seem like it at the time. I’ve really come to dread the word. It’s not a fun word. It usually means moments of loneliness and discontentment at times. It means not getting what you deeply desire when you feel like you need it, or more selfishly think you…
