Eight Thursdays have gone by since T left.
Eight weeks including Holidays like Christmas and New Years as well as his birthday.
Today is the day I finally get to pick him up.
I don’t know what was different but this deployment but it was a much more difficult. After thinking for a while, I believe it was a combination of factors.
Maybe it was because of the holiday season
Maybe it is because I’m not a winter person
Luckily my family and friends were there for me. I could not be more thankful to each and every person who has been here for me.
For those that don’t know, T’s schedule changes a lot. He doesn’t deploy for 8 months at a time, he is gone for 2-3 months. At first glance that looks great, except he is gone much more frequently. During our engagement, he will have been gone 8 months out of 12. In reality it’s about the same time. It leaves us with 2 months to get into a schedule and 2 months to get out of one. In reality, neither of us have typical 8-4 jobs. I don’t think we ever have a “normal” schedule.
I know our relationship is strong but it doesn’t make it any easier.
This particular deployment he was gone 2 months.
In 2 months we are getting married (now that is a scary thought!)
I think the next two months will be more chaotic honestly.
These last two months have flown by though:
Christmas
New Years with Kellie and Kris
Rochester Visit
Outside of the internet (and blogging) I try and hang out with friends. I have always found the key for me to stay happy is staying busy. The moment I find myself bored, is the moment I feel alone. I am not someone who can hang out every moment of the day but I do enjoy catching up with friends and seeing people.
If I allowed myself to sit at home and be sad, our relationship (or any relationship) wouldn’t work out.
Something that is important to Tim and I is having separate hobbies and activities.
Even when he is home we both manage to have separate hobbies.
I break things. He fixes things.
We both do our thing.
We both are obviously very happy together but we also have other hobbies and friends. You need that balance in your life. This doesn’t “just” apply to those in a relationship with someone who travels but all relationships in general. I truly believe every couple needs to have a few hobbies they enjoy together as well as apart.
Anyways, thank you to my family and friends for your constant love and support!
I know I say this often but without the support of both our families, friends and readers I know this would be much more difficult.
I can’t imagine how hard that must be! I for one am grateful for his service and for the sacrifices you BOTH make. Thank you!!!! And stay busy…although you will have no problem with that over the next two months as you countdown to the BIG DAY! 🙂
I’ve been so busy with the wedding that my busy has been busy. I’m grateful my parents and T’s parents have been so helpful.
I have a lot of respect for you for handling this so well. My boyfriend travels a lot for work, and it’s really hard for me when he is even gone for 2 weeks.
EEP! I’m so glad he’s home 🙂 🙂 I would probably get upset at the end of a long day when you just want to come home to him. An empty house is fun because you can do whatever/whenever, but it gets old and sad fast. I’m so, so happy he’s home safe and sound!!! Let the fun begin 😉
I think you have a great approach to handling deployments – work your job, run, hang out with friends, live your life. I know people who *do* struggle a lot with deployments and it’s because they sit at home all day and gossip with the other spouses on base, and yuck, ew, ain’t nobody got time for that.
BUT I GET TO GOSSIP WITH YOU!!!!!! (pretend these are emojis <3333333333333)
I’m so glad he’s home! Just in time for wedding crunch time 🙂 I love winter but the cold can wear on anyone, so I can completely understand why that would be hard. You guys seem to have a solid relationship and you have a great approach to deployment! Congratulations on making it through another two months.
Those deployments are definitely rough, and I couldn’t imagine going through them and planning a wedding.You’re a rock star. But I think that making sure you have your own separate life to live is definitely important, because it means that your whole world doesn’t come crashing down when he leaves — only a part of it is missing. Glad to hear he’s coming back today 🙂
Glad he’s home – now he gets to enjoy all the last minute wedding stuff with you! I give you guys major props, because deployments are tough. It takes a special kind of couple to be able to handle that.
So happy he’s coming home today! That feeling is so amazing, if I could re-live the welcome home without J actually deploying again, I would. 😉
WEEEE yay! So excited for you!!! 🙂
Hooray! I’m so excited that you get to pick him up today :). I hope you guys have a great day and a great Valentine’s weekend. Good luck with the rest of wedding planning.
My boyfriend works out of state on a 15 days on, 6 days off schedule. I only get to see him for 2-3 days every 2-2.5 weeks. I know it’s not the same as your situation, but it’s also hard and I think it helps me understand how you feel.
In 2.5 months, Matt is going to Abu Dhabi for work for 6 weeks. I will definitely have to take a leaf out of your book then and spend a lot more time with friends.
Anyway, I’m very happy for you that you get to pick Tim up today!! (I also get to see Matt today!!)
There are so many days I crave my own personal time away, BUT this reminds me to really appreciate the time I do have daily with my husband. The sacrifices he and you both make help us continue to live in the amazing country we do live in. ENJOY yo man when you get him! Wedding planning sure will keep you busy. I do not miss that period of my life lol
I think I’d like more frequent deployments better! I can do shorter amounts of time without somebody but once it just drags on, it’s just TOO LONG! I totally agree about the hobbies and activities. Jon and I both have our own things to do as well! I’ve grown to actually like spending more time with him over the years instead of going and doing my own things, but I also have days off during the week without him (which I LOVE) and I usually go to the gym alone and try to have girl time without him! I can’t believe your wedding is only 2 months away! I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Beautiful post. 🙂 well said and well prepared for your marriage.
Glad your fiancée will be home 🙂
I’m really happy for you Hollie and I think that despite how hard it may be, you handle these deployments really well. Enjoy every second today!
So glad he is home today, enjoy it! I also cannot believe the wedding is 2 months away!!!
Oh my gosh! I can’t believe how fast time goes by! I’m glad it does though, and I’m glad you get to see your fiancé again. I’m so excited to hear about your wedding!
Oh my goodness. I am so happy for you, he, and his unit that he is home safely.
I truly have so much admiration for yes, our service men an women, but their significant others as well! I cannot imagine going through deployments, much less during my engagement.
You have a really interesting perspective on you and your significant other having your own hobbies as you have had to spend so much time apart. I’ve always been in the school where I need my own friends and life but have never had to be separated. Thank you for sharing!