It was Memorial Day 2012-- Harris and I were texting, we were dating at the time. I was visiting my grandpa, a WWII vet. Harris asked me what I thought about the military, a fitting question being it was Memorial Day. We were getting more serious, I dreamed about having a future together. I was trying to read into his text. Did he want to join the military? I loved our country but didn't think I could be a military wife. The truth was I had specifically said multiple times that I could never marry someone in the military. So in my text I said something about how I respected military members and asked why he wondered. He said it was because he has a lot of family who served in the military and then listed off family members who were in the military. That first text started me thinking. Could a marry someone in the military? Would I be willing to marry Harris if he was in the military?
A few months later, after we were engaged Harris' brother talked to him about joining the Air Force. By that time I was willing to marry someone in the military. I was willing to be with Harris even if there would be long separations. I would do this because I loved Harris and I loved our country.
I remembered this last night as I was helping Harris get ready for Field Training. I knew it was going to be hard.
Yesterday I left work early so I could help Harris get ready. I cut his hair, sewed on his name tapes (and by the way those are so hard to sew on, I will have pay someone to do it next time. I don't even care that I am going to be a sewing teacher. My finger is still sore from pushing the needle through so many layers of fabric.) I did a late night run to Walmart to, cut cables (threads) and pressed his blues. While I did all of this I tried not to let Harris see the tears that would come to my eyes every once in a while. I was trying to be strong. I didn't want Harris to worry about me while he is gone.
As Harris was packing I could tell he was nervous. His brother was over quizzing him, which just made Harris more nervous. He was stressed about getting everything packed as well as trying to quickly recall the information he had studied as Nathan drilled him.
After getting everything packed perfectly and ready to go Harris and I went to bed a little after midnight. We got just 3 hours of sleep so we could get to the airport on time. It was a long ride to the airport knowing that my husband would be leaving. But I stayed strong. I didn't cry. At the airport we said our goodbyes. As I watched him walk away I started to cry.
Harris and I have never been without each other for more than a week since we had met. Since we have been married it has just been weekends-- and those weekends where we had been apart we were able to text or call each other. But this time Harris would be gone for 23 long days. With only hand written letters. I couldn't hold it anymore, and I let the tears come and sting my eyes.
Work today was also a struggle. Memories of us and him would sneak in and bring a bitter-sweetness feeling with them. I would think of things that I wanted to share with him after work. But then remembered I couldn't. At these times tears would come to my eyes and I would try to not let them fall.
The highlight of today was a call I got from Harris when he was in Dallas on a layover. I was so giddy when my phone rang and I knew it was him. I had hoped he would be able to call, and he had! It was wonderful to hear his voice. He told me that he studied a lot on the plane and he feels ready for field training. Knowing that he feels more confident helped me to be a little happier.
I love Harris and can't wait for him to come back. Let the count down begin!
***
Yesterday I left work early so I could help Harris get ready. I cut his hair, sewed on his name tapes (and by the way those are so hard to sew on, I will have pay someone to do it next time. I don't even care that I am going to be a sewing teacher. My finger is still sore from pushing the needle through so many layers of fabric.) I did a late night run to Walmart to, cut cables (threads) and pressed his blues. While I did all of this I tried not to let Harris see the tears that would come to my eyes every once in a while. I was trying to be strong. I didn't want Harris to worry about me while he is gone.
 |
| Sewing on name tapes |
As Harris was packing I could tell he was nervous. His brother was over quizzing him, which just made Harris more nervous. He was stressed about getting everything packed as well as trying to quickly recall the information he had studied as Nathan drilled him.
After getting everything packed perfectly and ready to go Harris and I went to bed a little after midnight. We got just 3 hours of sleep so we could get to the airport on time. It was a long ride to the airport knowing that my husband would be leaving. But I stayed strong. I didn't cry. At the airport we said our goodbyes. As I watched him walk away I started to cry.
Harris and I have never been without each other for more than a week since we had met. Since we have been married it has just been weekends-- and those weekends where we had been apart we were able to text or call each other. But this time Harris would be gone for 23 long days. With only hand written letters. I couldn't hold it anymore, and I let the tears come and sting my eyes.
Work today was also a struggle. Memories of us and him would sneak in and bring a bitter-sweetness feeling with them. I would think of things that I wanted to share with him after work. But then remembered I couldn't. At these times tears would come to my eyes and I would try to not let them fall.
The highlight of today was a call I got from Harris when he was in Dallas on a layover. I was so giddy when my phone rang and I knew it was him. I had hoped he would be able to call, and he had! It was wonderful to hear his voice. He told me that he studied a lot on the plane and he feels ready for field training. Knowing that he feels more confident helped me to be a little happier.
I love Harris and can't wait for him to come back. Let the count down begin!
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