The dating scene in your early twenties can be quite the adventure. Especially as a single mom who wants something stable and genuine. In a military town, you have plenty of fish in the sea. However, you don’t always get the luck of the draw.

We’ve all heard of Tinder right?

Yes, I know. It’s probably not the best place to be if you are looking for someone genuine, but let’s be honest, it’s 2023. Meeting someone these days can be a little different. Who knew swiping right AND reaching out first would lead me to my husband.

I remember the first time we met vividly. I had gone to Belk to get something at the mall. I was wearing a sweatshirt, sweatpants, I had my hair in a messy bun, and was fighting off a stubborn case of strep. To add to my wonderful day, I also locked my keys in my car.

Of course, both of my parents were at work so there was no one to come and pick me up.

I had been messaging a guy on Tinder, but I had never met him (George-he is now my husband). This was not at all how I envisioned our first “face to face” meeting would look like. At that moment, I swallowed my pride, took a risk and asked him if he could come and get me. About 20 minutes later, he arrived in a nice GMC truck.

I walked to his truck embarrassed, nervous, and looking like a Hot Mess Express.

Let’s just say it was an awkward, quiet ride. I couldn’t for the life of me make eye contact. If you knew my husband, he’s not the talkative type unless you really know him. Luckily, it was only a ten minute drive. He dropped me off at my house and I was certain I would never hear from him again.

Much to my surprise, I was wrong.

Not too long after, we were dating. In the weeks following he met my daughter, and we were hanging out regularly. I was introduced to his family. Then, in true military fashion, after a few months of us dating, we were expecting our first child together.

Which was soon followed by our courthouse wedding almost a year later. 

Did this turn of events fit what I envisioned my life to be while growing up?

No. However, let me tell you this. 

Quite often, young families in the military get judged by the outside world for getting married or having a family young.

Was it my plan to get married and have two babies by the age of 23?

No.

Was it my husband’s plan to have a kid and be married by the age of 21?

No.

Not everything in life goes as planned. 

And the military lifestyle doesn’t always go as planned either. 

Your soldier could be scheduled to leave for deployment in a week and then get a call at 8:00 p.m. that night telling them to have their stuff ready at the motor pool by 3:00 a.m….. to leave immediately.

It could be that your soldier was scheduled to go to the field, but it gets moved to the next week and they miss your child’s birthday. It could be that they were scheduled to go to a school, but, by luck, it gets postponed and they get that 3-day weekend to spend time with their family. 

Luck of the Draw!

As I look back on how we met, the moments we’ve been through, and the adventures to come, I can’t help but think that it really is the luck of the draw. 

I was lucky to have met an amazing spouse the way that I did. I am lucky to be married to someone so devoted to his country. I am lucky to be able to build an amazing family.

And even though we don’t always get the luck of the draw, it’s those moments that build and strengthen our character. 

So as we navigate through life and the unknown of the military lifestyle, remember that those lucky moments are out there!

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