Thanksgiving this year turned out to be a first on a few levels. More than 7,000 miles away from the United States? Definitely a first. Being the only female at our gathering? A first, except for the few years when it was only my husband and me having a two-person Thanksgiving. Only one person eating dessert before heading home? Um, yes, possibly a first at all Thanksgiving gatherings that ever occurred everywhere.

All firsts aside, it was a memorable Thanksgiving.

We shared our home and meal with five soldiers, plus one stuck at the office on shift.

Our guests were all still living the barracks life, and so I wasn’t expecting anyone to bring anything besides their appetites. You can imagine my surprise to find out tat one was planning to bring a cake!

(One of our cats was also surprised and may have been caught sneaking some frosting once or twice.)

I have no idea what the cake tasted like. It looked really good, and my husband told me it was delicious. It’s actually his favorite kind of dessert to get around me because he knows I cannot sneak a taste.

I guess this came up in conversation while he was at work and Thanksgiving plans were being made because not only did this soldier bring us a delicious carrot cake, but he took the time and effort to strategically plan out how to make two desserts in his barracks kitchen. One of them just for me on account of my husband letting it slip that I couldn’t have the carrot cake because of my tree nut allergy.

The second dessert was a cheesecake! I can tell you it was delicious. I can also tell you it was the sweetest cheesecake ever and not because there was some sugar explosion in the barracks or anything.

I just couldn’t get over it. It was beyond thoughtful.

I’m over the moon that my husband even brought up that I couldn’t eat the planned dessert. I’m incredibly flattered that his friend took this to heart and brought a cheesecake in addition to his carrot cake. I’m super impressed that these yummy desserts came out of a barracks kitchen!

Honestly and truly, sometimes I think my husband decided to marry me because while we were dating, I once washed the dishes that were overflowing in his shared barracks kitchen. Just kidding. I honestly and truly have no idea why he decided to marry me. Guess I’m just lucky.

So, anyway, I do happen to know that the gentleman who brought two desserts to our Thanksgiving is engaged. His fiancée is not here, and so we won’t be getting to meet her, but I can tell you that if we did meet, I know what I’d tell her, this future Army wife.

I’d tell her we’re the lucky ones. And, I’d tell her that the 7,000 miles were worth it, but I’m sure she already knows.