Hello, Goodbye..My life as an Army wife.

Before our son Jet was born, Andy and I had talked about the military. I'll never forget the day he came home with an inch thick packet and bunch of notes he had taken about the Army. The benefits were attractive, but I still was uneasy knowing our family could be separated so easily. For a few months we put off the decision and just prepared for the baby to come, but as soon as Jet was in Andy's arms he knew he needed to do something to provide for his new little family. He enlisted a month later and received the news he would be shipped to basic training in Fort Knox on August 10th. So just a day short of a month after we were married, I drove Andy to Milwaukee and said goodbye to him for the next 3 months - at least. I remember shaking so badly. I got Jet out of his carseat and handed him to Andy. "Say goodbye to your son.." I said to him. He took his boy in his arms and walked to the edge of the parking garage looking over the city. I stayed by the car and cried. Andy just rocked Jet and didn't say a word. I can't imagine how he was feeling at that moment. A few minutes later Andy came back to the car, handed Jet back to me, looked me straight in the face and said "I love you so much. You be strong and I will be too. This is going to make our lives and our future so much better.". He kissed me and I watched him walk away until I couldn't see him anymore. It was then, when I was all alone in the parking garage with a 3 month old baby that I realized - I'm an Army wife.

This was the last picture we took together before he left. Every Army wife will remember the first time they had to say goodbye to their soldier. This was my first and certainly not my last time!

The drive home was worse than the drive there. It was around 10:30 when I finally got back into Beaver Dam and I didn't want to go home to an empty apartment just yet. Everyone in Beaver Dam knows that if there's nothing else to do - you go to Walmart. (It's a small town) Right next to Walmart was the Army Career Center where Andy was recruited. Even though I knew no one was in there at that time of night, I wanted to bust in the doors and scream at the men who convinced my husband to join. I sat in the parking lot for about an hour. Silly I know, but I honestly had no idea what to do with myself. I ended up going home and as soon as I walked through the door I fell to my knees and asked for help from the only person who could help me, God.

It was just me and Jet for the next several months. He kept me sane. He kept me going. He kept me motivated. And eventually when Andy and I were able to write each other that was another huge boost of motivation. 3:06 was the happiest time of the day - when the mail came. The mailman became my bestfriend and on the days he didn't come with a letter from Andy he was my worst enemy. I wrote Andy every day. For awhile I didn't even know if he was receiving my letters, because I never got any back. Soon enough he did write back and updated me with all the events that had passed and what obsticles he still had ahead. I sent him pictures of our growing boy and of course filled pages and pages with words of gratitude for all he was doing for us. We wrote little questionaires for each other and counted down the days until when we would be able to see each other again. At the beginning of October I got to see my new soldier husband for the first time in his basic training picture that he sent to me along with an invitation to his graduation on the 23rd. It didn't come fast enough.

Just a day away until we left for Kentucky to see Andy. We made it through the first separation. I didn't make it alone. I had help along the way. I just want to take this opportunity now to thank my family for helping me and supporting me, as well as two beautiful girls. My best friends. I couldn't have made it through without you.

Finally! October 23rd, 2009 I got to see my husband again. I watched Andy march into the ceremony with his platoon. He wasn't a kid anymore. He was a MAN. The ceremony ended and families were able to go onto the floor and find their soldiers. I pushed through the crowd and caught sight of Andy. I ran into his arms. Finally! For the next 6 hours he was mine!

Once again, after the day was over we had to say goodbye. This time wasn't any easier than the first. AIT (advanced individual training) for Andy, back to Beaver Dam for me and Jet. Soon enough He would be home for Christmas. Only two months this time. And things got easier as we were able to talk on the phone more often. Andy's MOS (military occupation specialty) is a 31E also known as an Internment/Resettlement Specialist. At AIT he trained in combatives, individual weapons, detainee operations and etc. Pretty soon he started getting the hang of this "Army" stuff - it was obvious after he shot expert for the 9mm and m16! Another proud moment - and they keep coming. About half way into AIT Andy called me one night very upset. Of course I asked, what was wrong. He paused and then he got right to the point. "I'm going to Cuba." he said blankly. I just kept saying "no...no...no!". It was hard to accept. We knew it was a possibility from the beginning, but we were made to believe by several sources that he most likely wouldn't be. Of course we did eventually come to terms with the fact. Never has the phrase "One day at a time" been so overused in my life.

December 16th I sat in the terminal in the Milwaukee airport. I got a special pass to meet my soldier at the gate. I got there an hour early. Bad idea! I got so anxious I had to call a friend to call me down. All of the sudden a plane started pulling up to the gate. I jumped to my feet. People started crowding down the hall. I couldn't see Andy anywhere. Soon less and less people where getting off the plane. I was beginning to worry I was at the wrong gate, but then I caught a unmistakable color of his ACU's. He caught sight of me. I ran to him and he dropped his bags. Oh how I love that first embrace. People were watching and some even started clapping. I felt like I was in a movie! I looked at my sweet husband and touched his face. "It's really you! Not just a picture!" I said to him. We got stopped every 5 feet by people wanting to shake Andy's hand and thank him for his service. He deserved every bit of attention. Christmas was wonderful. I got everything I wanted. New Years eve was wonderful also, but it was bittersweet knowing Andy would be leaving the day after.

January 2nd and another goodbye. We kissed goodbye right in front of security. Andy was late getting on his plane so he had to leave in a hurry. He didn't look back. Once again I was left there alone. The tears definatly came. This time it would be 6 months at the least until I would see him again. I broke down. A lady that saw what had happened came up to me and shook my hand. She was crying too. "I just wanted to let you know, that I've never seen anything sweeter than what I just saw with you and your husband." She said. "And I just wanted to thank you for your family's sacrifice for our country. God bless you." I will never forget her kindness and encouragement. Thank you whoever you are.

Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye...To you those are simple words. To me they are the story of my life. I wouldn't change a thing. I'll be waiting until our next hello and I'll still be here after our 100th goodbye. I love you Andy.



Forever.