During occasions which involves the military, I get pretty emotional. I'm the type of person who cries during the national anthem. My dad retired as a Lt. Colonel in the army not too long ago and continues to work for the military as a civilian. I have three cousins in the military. Two in the navy and one in the army. I was also engaged to someone in the army who served in Afghanistan. So as you can see, I have a lot of ties and respect for what men and women in the military do for us to keep our country safe.
I get especially emotional when I see a soldier speak to his/her family while deployed or when they come home. I tend to be a very strong person when it comes to crying, however, that always touches a part of my heart. At the moment, I'm extremely torn because my cousin, who is like a brother to me, is going back to Afghanistan this month. I can't imagine what goes on over there but by what I've been told, its not exactly a pleasant nor safe situation. I know you risk your life by simply getting into a car but something is to be said about being in a very hostile area where your life is in danger by walking in the wrong area.
Growing up, I told myself that I never wanted to date someone in the military. Not that I don't have respect for what they do but I knew that, deep down inside, I couldn't handle the lifestyle. I knew that I wanted someone to be there with me to raise the family, to be there with me through thick and thin. My love language is Quality Time (I totally recommend that you read the 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman), which means, in order for me to feel loved or have my love tank full, I need to spend time with that person and have good quality time with them. I give major props to military wives and girlfriends who hold down the fort while their men are overseas. I know its not easy. It was very hard for me while my ex fiance was overseas. I remember, I cried literally every day for the first month he was away on his deployment. I just don't like the idea of losing someone you care about, I mean, who does?
This blog goes out to all of those who have served for our country, those families who have lost loved ones and those who are overseas right now. I am immensely grateful for all that you've done. I also want to pray that my cousins all come home safely as one is about to leave and the other two are away from home already. I love you all.