Thoughts on NOT being his Army Wife

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If you’re a regular around here, you know that my husband and I went to high school together.  That our paths went different directions;  I headed off to college and he joined the military. 

I absolutely LOVE when we go places and they have all the veterans in the room stand up to be honored.  It’s because of them that we have that freedom to go about our business and do the things we love, and let’s not forget about those men & women who are currently serving to protect those freedoms for us!

I cheer and applaud with the best of them for those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.  In fact, one night I had to go to the bathroom and I missed that whole part to praise those who risk their lives for my freedom.  I was so mad and I know it isn’t about me, but I still missed it and that upset me.

But here’s where I have a really hard time…

When those few people see my husband stand up and they want to thank me for being his wife.

I wasn’t there for that portion of his life and that in and of itself bothers me.

The women who stand behind their man while he’s serving or the men that stand behind their women, I commend you.  I couldn’t even begin to think what it would be like to have them gone for that extended period of time.  And a part of me might even be jealous that I couldn’t be there at the gate when he arrived home from serving.

My husband was out of the military long before he came back into my life; an honorable medical discharge kept me from ever having to fret at night what his life was like across the big blue pond, over in the danger zone.  So when someone wants to commend me for standing behind him, I don’t know how to respond, because I didn’t have that chance, that opportunity, that responsibility.  Nope, I was off enjoying my life living carefree and worry free.

Today is Veteran’s Day.  This is a day to honor those who have served our great country.  You can bet that I’ll sure be honoring my veteran!

5 thoughts on “Thoughts on NOT being his Army Wife

  1. Awww, your honoring him now speaks loud and clear of your love and respect for him! I didn't know my dad at all during his months of military service as he retired before I was in his life, but I try to always include him in my thanks and praise of the veterans, past and present, who serve our country and protect our freedoms! Nice post, friend!

  2. You honor him now , and your clear love and respect for him says to me that were he and you together in that time you would absolutely have been his support so,I would say be what you are the proud wife of a brave man who served his country

  3. That would be kind of awkward, because you don't really want to have to tell everyone, oh no we weren't together then. The idea of being a military wife I think is probably a lot better than actually being one. Maybe I am way far off, but in my head I think that Military wives get to stay home and raise the kids and family, and when the men come back home from deployment, they get to spend lots of time together. For some reason I always think of Military wives as being house wives. Maybe I am living in the 50s, haha, but that is always what I envision. When Chris and I first got together, he wanted to enlist. I wouldn't let him. I was selfish and didn't want to be lonely. Does hubby like to talk about being in the military. My dad was in Vietnam and it is like pulling teeth to get him to talk about it.
    Wow that was a novel. Anyway this is probably horrible to say, but I think you might have lucked out by missing out on when he was deployed. You can be proud of him, without having to worry about him.
    Does that make sense? I probably just put my foot in my mouth! ha ;-P

  4. If you had been with him when he was serving, I know that you would have been amazing at handling it. But, you are still supporting a Veteran now, and in giving him happiness, you are giving him exactly what a Vet deserves. NEVER forget that.

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