Our calendar is beginning to fill with trainings, late nights and weekend work hours for my Marine.
Initially, the conversation between my husband and I about this new job and all that it entails stung a little bit. Long hours and nights apart are nothing new, but a year together while he attended school spoiled us all.
It is going to be a big change for our boys to experience Daddy being gone more and stuck with Mom instead all the time. My two-year-old idolizes everything Daddy does, like any little boy! He likes following Dad around the house or garage and helping with “man things”. The only thing I do in his toddler eyes is shop for food and make dinner. Sigh.
Secretly, I don’t mind watching him turn into a daddy’s boy. There is nothing cuter then having your son think his daddy is a real hero. I knew the schedule change was coming but I didn’t want accept it. And I definitely wasn’t quite ready to face it yet either.
But here we are, another late night this week and I really am ok, better than I expected actually. Yes, the days are exhausting but my mind has never been clearer and I feel calm - and happy. Not to say I wasn't at our last duty station, but North Carolina is a fresh start for us - no cramped house, no newborn and nighttime feedings, no DC traffic.
No more dark cloud hanging over me. We have a clean slate. I could jump on the band wagon and complain about returning to a combat billet but it won't change anything. I know what is asked of me as a military spouse. We make sacrifices too and this is one of them.
So, I’ll put on my big girl pants and focus on our time together when my Marine is able to be with us. It can't be easy on him either and I think it is easy to forget that sometimes. As tough as it is on family, it is just as tough for them. I know he is happy to actually be working again and no longer a student, but he must miss us too. At least I hope so!
He has so much to do all day I feel the least I could do is make the best of the situation and be a positive environment for my Marine to come home to. The house may be a mess, dinner may be burned or cold or not even made but we will be happy to see him no matter what time of day or night. I may have bad days (lots) and will definitely need to vent and allow myself to be frustrated but I can do it without placing blame on my Marine.
We are in this crazy life together after all. So bring it on Marine Corps, we are ready.
