I’m so excited and a little nervous for my husband’s upcoming deployment. It is not only the first for him, but for me as well! I know this is good for his career and he seems genuinely excited so I’m taking all sorts of steps to prepare myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

First thing on my list…

Making sure that my husband and I have a solid communication plan in place. We’ve talked about how often we’ll be able to talk and have planned out what methods of communication we’ll use.

Whether it’s regular video calls or sending letters in the mail, I’m confident that we’ll stay connected and feel close, no matter how far apart we are.

Of course, I’m also making self-care an absolute priority.

That means getting plenty of exercise, eating all the right foods, and focusing on my mental health through meditation, journaling, and other mindfulness techniques. I want to make sure I’m at my best, both for myself and for my husband.

But honestly, one of the things that’s been the biggest help so far has been connecting with other military spouses.

Whether it’s joining a local support group or reaching out online, I’ve found so much comfort and camaraderie from those who have been through it all before.

They share stories, offer encouraging advice, and simply remind me that we’re not alone in this journey; because honestly, this can get pretty lonely, especially because we don’t have any kiddos yet.

I know that while there may be some challenges ahead,

I’m really choosing to focus on the positive opportunities that come with a deployment. This is a chance for me to grow and learn so much about myself, and to develop an even deeper connection with my husband.

I’m excited to embrace every new experience that comes my way and to come out the other side of this deployment even stronger.

So bring on the adventure! I’m ready for whatever comes my way, and I will be documenting the good, the bad and the ugly throughout this new chapter! 

*Meagan has the distinct honor of being our First Annual “Proud to be” Essay Contest Winner. You can read her winning essay HERE!

*Check back to read more from Meagan Childers as she goes through her first deployment. We are here for Meagan and all of our community with resources and support at Mission:Milspouse.

*For more deployment resources, Check out our Deployment Homepage.