I am so thankful for ALL of the military men and women who serve, but I am especially thankful that I am married to someone who gave me the chance to appreciate it firsthand.
Every Veterans Day I think back to when my husband was serving our country.
I remember “seeing him off” and the overwhelming feeling of sadness that I felt as I wondered if that would be the last time we hugged.
This picture was taken at 4 am in the car outside the armory right before he boarded the bus for his 17 month deployement.
I remember feeling so proud yet so scared.
I can’t imagine sacrificing your OWN life and leaving your family and friends to patrol the streets of an unfamiliar country that is full of danger.
This was taken while he was on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.
“Lonely at Home” was somewhat of an understatement.
But being lonely at home was NOTHING compared to what he was facing and experiencing.
I know that my husband would never call himself a hero, but……..I always call him one.
I am blessed that he made it through safely and that he sacrificed so much of himself to fight for OUR freedom!
A moment I will never forget?
Searching for him, in a crowd full of Army National Guardsmen, just moments after he stepped off the bus to be welcomed home for good!
I still get the chills looking back through these pictures.
Thank you to my husband.
Thank you to all of the military men and women.
Thank you!
I love that you have those memories, and that it all turned out for the best – you are one lucky lady, and have a great family to prove that it was all worth it! Hugs to you for your sacrifices to help make sure that our country is safe!
That is awesome! I can see why you are so proud:)
This post is amazing… The picture of the article makes me tear up. I love you guys! Thank you so much for your sacrifice, Jeff!
It is SO hard to pick them out of the crowd when everyone is in uniform, isn’t it? When I visited my boyfriend when he was stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia, it was overwhelming getting off the plane at the airport. I thought I’d never recognize him in the sea of uniforms!
Happy Veterans Day to Jeff and all the other veterans out there! 🙂
Love that newspaper article picture! So sweet.
No one ever thanks military spouses. I am not one, but I know many of them and they give just as much of a sacrifice to our country as a service men and women. Thank you Mandy! Thank you Jeff for the freedom you have helped give our country. It means a great deal to me to know that we are free because of so many friends and family.
This is my first time posting …..just wanted to say this was SUCH a beautiful post. Love you blog!
Thank you Jeff for serving our country.
What a powerful sacrifice. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
I remember it like it was yesterday. Tough time for both of you. Thank you Jeff and all the other men and women of our military and military families that sacrifice so much for our freedom. We are so proud to have such a great son in law … and daughter! Love, Dad.
I just love everything about this!!!!! Gave me chills!!!! Your husband’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Those pictures are so so powerful!!
This is AMAZING. I am still rather new to your blog, so I had no idea. What an incredible couple you guys are, you should be so proud!
Mandy- I love all of your posts obviously, but this one just melted my heart. You are such a strong woman and this shows how strong yours and Jeff’s relationship is. You withstood a test that I pray no other couple has to go through because I cannot imagine the fear, the worry and the anguish of knowing your spouse is in a war zone. God Bless you and Jeff for being that strong couple and thank god for his safe return! xoxox
Thank you to the families at home, waiting for their loved ones to return. Thank you.
A big thank you to Jeff for his service. And to you for supporting him through that time.
Beautiful post !
Please THANK your husband for me and my family.
I love your blog! I am constantly inspired by the way you balance life, motherhood, family, decorating, finances, and everything in between….especially adoption, since I have always felt a calling to adopt and it is wonderful getting to hear the story of someone in the process! This posting touched my heart because my husband is in Afghanistan through the National Guard, so it really hit home. Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring posts!:)
Thank you Theresa! I love to hear comments like this…it truly means a lot!
I have NEVER seen that newspaper article before?!! I can hardly remember that time in your life when Jeff was away, but I am sure it’s something that you will NEVER forget. The sacrifices he made to be there and fight for us…and the sacrifices you made to carry on with life at home. I love you both. And Thank You Jeff…today and every day 🙂
This made me tear. WHat a powerful family ready to serve our country. I pray joy and peace continue to fill your home.