Friday Fill-in!

1. Have you and your spouse agreed to live in separate locations (a geographical bachelor tour) knowing that the short-term inconvenience would have long-term benefits for your family? How did it work for you?

I guess that's kind of what we're doing now...I am still in Ohio and my husband is down in Texas. I could have gone down with him, but I decided to stay behind because I had one more day to work (and I didn't want to leave my job on bad terms!) plus I'm in the process of moving out of my apartment and I need to finalize the wedding. No long-term benefits, really. I just need to get stuff done. And it'll be nice to move back home with my mom and spend time with her for 2 weeks before I start my pilgrimage south.

2. What's your favorite thing about being a MilSpouse?

Knowing my that husband is out there defending our country and making a difference...and he's very passionate about making a difference in our world. And to a lesser degree, the practically free healthcare/very affordable dental insurance, military discounts, shopping at the commissary and PX for lower prices/no sales tax, that sort of thing :) haha.

3. If you could still have your spouse/significant other and your family, but take the military life out of it...would you?

I'm not a "tag chaser" - I didn't just fall in love with my husband because he's a soldier. I would still love him the same regardless, but if the military life wasn't apart of our life it just wouldn't be the same I don't think.

4. What have your homecoming experiences been like after a year long tour of separation?

I am unable to answer this question. I have not gone through a deployment yet, and I probably won't for at least the next year & a half to two years. My husband got a platoon, but they just came home from their year-long tour somewhere. After their month of block leave is up, my husband will be assigned as PL to that unit and will be in charge of training them, etc. There is another unit going early next year but they are on lock-down, meaning no staff changes, etc. There is also a unit going relatively soon, but the reason why my husband wasn't picked to be a PL for that unit is because he is married and the other guy is not. It almost makes me feel bad; it's like it's because of me that he can't deploy right off the bat like he wants to. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely thrilled that he'll still be here for awhile, but I know he wants to deploy. He told me not to worry; he has at least the next 7 years to get his chance lol (that's his contract; whether or not he'll be out in 7 years or will go career is a mystery).

5. If you have a child(ren), why did you choose their name(s)? If not, why would name your child something?

No children. And hopefully none anytime soon, I have NO desire to be a parent at the moment. Right now I'm like Christina from Grey's - I care about my life and my career haha. I know that sounds selfish, but that's the truth - for now! And I can't see myself giving up my job to become a SAHM. I worked WAY too hard all of my life and especially the past 4.5 years of college to get my RN, BSN to just give it all up. And I really want E & I to become established before we even start to think about having kids. Now if it were to just happen, then so be it, but we're not planning anything anytime soon. As for naming kids, no idea. E suggested that if we have a son to name him after my father. I like the idea (my father's name was Tom). Or make their middle name Thomas.