Pride

I decided to give the blog a little facelift. I get bored with the same design after a while lol. I also added some tabs to keep all those who ask about Nathan up to date on what's going on. I'll add more tabs about other things when I have more time to do so. I always forget what time it is where Nathan's at, mainly because it's not in whole hour increments! Who knew that could be possible?! I didn't... so thanks Sam for having a clock on your page, I thought it was a wonderful idea so I stole it. Hopefully I'll be able to remember the time difference now so I don't bug Nathan about it every time we get to speak to one another.

Anyways, today is Memorial Day. Growing up I remember our family was driving somewhere- I don't remember where. But I do know that it was Memorial Day. We had only driven about a mile down the road from our house. There's a cemetery off to the left and while passing it I remember my dad asking us if we knew why he was off from work. We answered because it was a vacation day. He laughed to himself for a second before answering that he has off because it's Memorial Day and then proceeded to ask us if we knew what that meant. We did not (I was just fresh out of 3rd grade, I think). So he explained that today is a day that we as a nation recognize and remember all the men and women in the military who fight for country and all those who have lost their lives doing so. He explained that while today is a day to have fun as a family, we need to remember to pray for those daily who fight and to remember those who have given their lives so that we can enjoy our freedoms. He then reminded us that our grandpas had both served in the Air Force, ultimately retiring, and were in a couple wars in their active duty time.

Fast forward several years to high school. One of my best friends started dating a military man and I remember thinking she was INSANE. I was no longer a 3rd grader, and I clearly understood (so I thought) the sacrifices that these fine people make as well as their loved ones. I remember telling her one day when it crept up into a conversation that there was NO WAY I would ever date let alone marry a man in the military. She asked why and my answer was this, "Um because I'm selfish! I don't want to worry about them leaving and being killed. Why would I start a relationship, a life, a family with someone who has a high chance of dying.. voluntarily?"

Five years later, I am happily married to a United States Army soldier. Yes, there are sacrifices to be made; huge ones that not every one can handle emotionally. But I am PROUD to be his wife. It has not been easy & family & friends can attest that there have been many tears shed over his job & the hardships that it brings but I would not have it any other way. I truly believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I know without a doubt that we have a strong marriage & an even deeper love because of it. I have a deepened pride in our wonderful country. Most of the men in Nathan's family have served in one branch or another. John, his older brother gave the ultimate sacrifice in 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although I did not get the chance to know him or meet him, I know that he must have been a stellar man because his brothers have followed in his footsteps. Nathan and I named our first born son after him and I know one day we'll be able to explain to him where his name came from and instill in him the pride that we have for our country and for all those who serve and give up their lives. I know that the term pride can have a negative connotation but in this instance there is no other word to describe what I feel for the men in my family who serve, have served, and sacrificed their life to protect our freedoms. I am a proud wife, sister-in-law, and granddaughter to wonderful, selfless military HEROES.

http://www.theladybloggers.com/honor-of-memorial-day/