Today is Veterans Day.
I would like to thank all the veterans who have served
and are now serving the United States of America.
I would also like to recognize my husband.
Fresh out of basic, he was only 19 when he first deployed for to Iraq in 2003.
I had no idea he was that young when I met him! (honest!)
We wrote letters during this deployment. No phone. No email.
Letters that took 3 weeks to be delivered… and another 3 weeks to get a response!
His second 12 month deployment began on November 11, 2005.
We had been married a little over 10 months.
His mission was clearing roadside bombs.
6 weeks later, he coached me through labor and delivery
of our first child, Jacob, via cell phone…
He saw pictures of him about 12 hours later.
(It was his 22nd birthday.)
(It was his 22nd birthday.)
In April of 2008 – he deployed for the third time to Iraq.
He bought me 10 gallons of laundry detergent
and two 50 pound bags of dog food before he left.
Our children were 2 (Jacob) and 5 months (William)
Our children were 2 (Jacob) and 5 months (William)
6 months ago, my husband marched into the Hall of Champions…
It was the end of a 14 month tour… 14 LONG months…
(that’s him in the front row)
He is a Warrior full of courage and strength.
He is the Father of my children full of understanding and compassion.
My husband, my love, my soldier, my hero…
In almost 5 years of marriage, we have been together as much as we’ve been apart.
But I can’t imagine my life with anyone else – He is my best friend.
PS — Here is my first attempt at including a video in my posts…
We were given the pleasure of the first kiss at the welcome home ceremony…
(22May2009 – I am about 6 months pregnant.)
(22May2009 – I am about 6 months pregnant.)
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November 11, 2009 at 2:14 pm
What a touching post! I admire your strength that you must have had to endure during all his deployments. I can't even imagine what that must be like. Let your husband know that I am thankful for all that he sacrificed for this great nation. Thanks to you for being his rock and his safe place to come home to.
November 11, 2009 at 2:31 pm
You made me cry. What a beautiful tribute. Thank you to your husband for his service and his protection. Thank you for standing by him as he serves. You are a very strong woman.
November 11, 2009 at 4:18 pm
What a fantastic post. Your husband is a hero, and you are an amazingly strong woman for making it through 2 deployments.
Happy Veteran's Day!
November 11, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Love your post. The part about being together as much as you've been apart – been there! It's hard, but worth it. Happy Veteran's Day!
November 11, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Oh, man I have tears in my eyes! That was a wonderful tribute to your husband.
God bless you both and especially him as he leaves his home and loved ones sacrificing for our country and all that we take for granted! Now I'm crying…I'm such a sap.
Thanks Ann Marie!
~ingrid
November 12, 2009 at 2:37 am
Thank you Thank you Thank YOU! to your husband and to you – for the sacrifices you make to ensure life and safety for others.
What a beautiful post!
November 12, 2009 at 2:04 pm
What a beautiful tribute to your husband and to all veterans. Thank you for your sacrifice that makes all of our lives possible. (thanks aren't enough, but what else is there to say? thank you!!!)
November 12, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I love your 'first kiss' video! So sweet!!
Its kinda hard to watch– Brings back all those homecoming emotions!
What a wonderful tribute to our troops!!
November 13, 2009 at 1:53 am
Thank you so much for sharing! And thank you to you and your husband for your sacrifice for our country.
Toni