100 years ago

Well not exactly 100 years but 15. Let me back track here for a second. My dear friend Peggie sent me this email today that was entitled 1906 and all the AMAZING things that are different today than 100 years ago. So of course that got me thinking about the things in my life that are different now than they were 15 years ago….and the things that are different now than 3 months ago (pre deployment)

15 years ago

I was dating someone else and my husband didn’t know my name….he was friends with my sister.

I smoked, and then I didn’t for 14 years (have for 3 months since deployment|)

I weighed 145 lbs, and had long hair…now well I am OVER 145 lbs LOL and well my hair has been shorter than now but its ponytail length now.

I never doubted my husband, and in the past 3 months I have had moments (many I caused myself) to question and fear.

I paid the family bills, I didn’t pay the bills, and now (3 months in) I am paying them AGAIN (which I so HATE).

I didn’t have kids, now I have 4 AMAZINGLY KIND, GENEROUS, and WONDERFUL kids.

I didn’t get along with all my family or my husbands, but now I feel like I BELONG in both places, and that I am part of their family and mine.

I knew NOTHING about the military and albeit loved my country…wasn’t patriotic, and understanding (3 months in) I find strength in other women who HELP me and UNDERSTAND the fears, and uncertainties that I go through.

And finally, 15 years ago I wasn’t married to the man of my dreams…today I can truly call him my soul mate, my best friend, and the love of my life. And I can tell you that with time TRUE love only GROWS.

So my life although has had SEVERAL ups and downs, and many surprises along the way, I wouldn’t change one thing about it…not even this deployment (well I might make it shorter LOL) but it has made me much STRONGER than I knew I was, and I hope it has brought ALL of us closer and more patient and understanding and grateful for each other in the family.