When my husband was medically retired from the Army, I thought I was losing my connection to the Army. I wondered what would happen to my website and my business that I had built around being an Army wife. But what I discovered surprised me.
I had always heard it that once you were an Army spouse, you were always an Army spouse. I know some people do not want that association any longer once they are out, but I certainly still did.
Maybe it is because he didn’t get out on his own accord. Regardless, that connection was really important to me.
I had made some great friends, both “in real life” as well as online through my sites. I greatly enjoy being able to reach out to other and offer support as well as information about the Army lifestyle.
The thought of no longer being able to do that really scared me. It was like my purpose for the last few years was being taken away from me, and not by choice.
But here I am almost three years later. Most still consider me to be an Army spouse and technically I still am, it is just to a retired soldier.
My websites have grown and I am still able to help people on a daily basis. That truly makes me happy.
I’ve written an eBook to help the newest Army family members and am now working on a second one to help those who are dealing with deployment.
But what I’m most thankful for that is still alive and well is the friendships that I made. In fact, in May, a group of Army wives and significant others will be hitting the Jersey Shore for a little reunion of sorts.
I absolutely cannot wait.
Some I have met before whereas others I have only known online for quite a few years now. To be able to truly put a name and face together will be great!
I’m proud to still be an Army wife and still be a member of this amazing community.
My husband and I both maintain that joining was one of the best decisions he has made even if it didn’t end quite how we imagined.
The friendships formed, and the depth of those friendships, are just hard to replicate in the civilian world.