military marriage - Mission: Milspouse

Army Strong, Marriage Style

by Retired Blogger | Feb 25, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Relationships

Long, long ago, in a city far, far away (Hanau, Germany, to be exact), two young kids met and fell in love.

Life was amazing! They could go on hikes in Switzerland, take the train to Paris, have goulash in Hungary… They thought to themselves, “Man, marriage is awesome. We are totally rocking at this! I mean, honestly, how hard can it be?”

Well, fast forward about 15 years, four deployments, and three kids later, and those young kids have the answer to that question—marriage can be hard.

Really, really hard.

Like, Houston-we-have-a-problem hard.

Let’s Really Talk About Love

by Retired Blogger | Feb 22, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Relationships

Did you know that in a recent Gallup Poll, only 8 percent of Americans look forward to Valentine’s Day? When you see all the floral arrangements, the cards, the endless rows of chocolates, heart-shaped soaps, candles, and sweet little gifts, you would think it is the day of all days.

Well, apparently it isn’t.

When we think of Valentine’s Day, it conjures up this fantasy of love and romance that may happen for a brief moment in one’s life.

But, let’s face it—in reality, the Cupid moments of Valentine’s Day are for romance novels, country songs, and the movies.

Mature Love

by Retired Blogger | Feb 15, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Relationships

It’s February, the month Valentine’s Day is celebrated. Romance is in the air.

I love reading clean romance books or watching romantic movies where the love just starts to blossom. It always reminds me of the time when I first met my husband. The feeling of butterflies in your stomach and excitement when he calls. As many of you know the honeymoon phase does not last long, then the everyday life hits, where you have kids to care for, work to go to, chores to tend to, deployments to survive, etc.

If I can be honest with you, sometimes I miss the honeymoon phase and compare the feelings that I had 18 years ago to now. Sometimes I feel like my hubby might not find me attractive or love me as much as he did when we first met.

But those doubts are wrong.

Building Love Maps in Your Marriage

by Retired Expert | Feb 12, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Relationships

I love those first few weeks when I PCS to a new place. Undaunted by a lack of household goods or limited leave, I load my family up every morning to go out exploring our new home. Driving around the installation aimlessly but full of intention.

We speculate on which park we will enjoy walking to the most or which of a town’s kitschy diners we will frequent on Sundays after church. Taking it all in. Learning the main roads at first, the way to the commissary, the PX, then gradually picking up on the backways and roundabout shortcuts. By the time your stay is halfway up, you know how to avoid gate traffic and where to go to meet your friends for coffee or lunch. Though no matter how well you have become acquainted with it, the town you leave is seldom the same town when your moving truck arrived. The place you have all your socials closes down and is replaced by another restaurant, new boutiques open on Main Street. Of course, just before you leave, you begin discovering fascinating places and activities that have been there all along, but you never knew.

Our marriages are similar.

Love The One You’re With

by Kathleen Palmer | Feb 8, 2020 | Blog, Deployment, Experience, Military Life

“Got any Valentine’s Day plans?”

That simple question can evoke a range of reactions from women all over world, but to a milspouse with a loved one downrange, you may want to take a step back when asking.

Unfortunately, like New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day is often greeted with unrealistic expectations. If you have a love in your life, it is a day of plans and giddiness. If you are without your love, let’s just call you the Grinch That Stole Valentine’s Day.

But you don’t have to be!

Loving the Invisible Spouse

by Retired Blogger | Feb 7, 2020 | Blog, Deployment, Experience, Relationships

Don’t let the title fool you, my husband isn’t really invisible. But I’m going to be completely honest here—it sure feels like it at so many points in this military life.

He’s a true superhero. He jets off right in the middle of a toddler meltdown to save the world. Who could be mad at that? People swoon over superheroes.

So why, at times, have I felt as though I spend more time with the bagger at Kroger than my own husband?

5 Ways To Keep Your Marriage Army Strong

by Retired Blogger | Jan 27, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Military Life

Slowly, I peeked out through my fingers that covered my eyes. I felt the wind blow hard against my face. My legs dangled from my body, with the ocean 1200 feet below. The harness was tightly secured around my body, but I felt anything but secure. My adventure-seeking boyfriend was strapped next to me, completely relaxed with a big smile on his face, but I was too busy fighting flashbacks from my last parasailing adventure.

See, I was traumatized from the last time I parasailed when I was 15 years old. All was going well during that ride until the driver of the boat slowed down and decided to dip me down into the water. Seems fun, right? Well, little did he know that I was being submerged into a school of jellyfish! I started waving and flailing like a crazy woman, trying to signal to lift me back up, but he thought I was just having a great time and waved back. Thanks, Mr. Boat driver, for the bazillion jellyfish stings! Thus, I vowed to never parasail again.

Thoughts from a Guardsman Spouse

by Retired Blogger | Jan 23, 2020 | Blog, Deployment, Experience, National Guard/Reserves

We hear it all the time. “It’s only once a month! It’s not that big of a deal!”

Truth is, it really is a big deal. Because those weekends are the worst.

Those are the weekends that all the ballgames, family commitments, and kids getting sick will happen.

Those are the weekends when the kids will throw every ‘tude known to man both at you and at each other.

Those are the weekends that all Hades breaks loose everywhere. Oh! And something always breaks!

Those are the weekends you question yourself the most.

Soldier, Baby

by Sarah Peachey | Dec 13, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Military Life

This holiday season, from my military family to yours, I hope you’re able to celebrate with people you love. Whether you’re celebrating far from home, making a dash home for a few days, or starting new traditions with your own family, I hope your holiday season is filled with hope, love, joy, and peace.

And in case you’re looking for a new-fangled holiday song to carry you through the season, I bring you a new and improved version of “Santa Baby” called “Soldier Baby.”