Closing a Chapter

I don't feel like often we get to see a chapter closing right before our eyes. We tend to look back on our lives and can only then see that we slowly transitioned from one chapter to another, with a new job, new co workers, then possibly a new house and then you are in a completely different place in your life than you were 3 years ago. With the military lifestyle, we get all of those events at one time. As we finish up the last few items on our to do list and head out for our flight to London in a few short hours, I am looking back on this last chapter with fond memories.

At the beginning of Nick's tour in Va Beach, 3 years ago, we could not have imagined what the next years would hold. We were 2 months away from our wedding with no clue what married life was all about. Nick was also right out of flight school heading into a fleet squadron with a deployment 2.5 months away. Oh the things we have learned!

We had our wedding and said goodbye for the next 6 months. I know Nick learned a lot about his squadron and what it meant to be on deployment, but that's his story to tell. I made friendships with the fellow wives that I know will last a lifetime, as we all supported one another as we waited for emails, planned the guys homecoming and drank LOTS of wine. During that 6 months I also learned a lot about myself. I learned that I could maintain a house by myself, manage a rental property across the country, fix things that broke and believe LOTS of things broke (rule #1 of deployment, if it can break, it will!) and most importantly I could survive!

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 Then Nick came home and we enjoyed every second with each other and new friends while deployment #2 loomed on the horizon.

The end of December 2011, 3 months before deployment #2 we found out that little miss was going to be joining our family.  We were obviously very excited but also very upset with the timing because Nick would miss all but 1 month of the pregnancy and Em would be almost 3 months old when he met her. Once again, all of the wonderful friends I have made in Va Beach stepped up and took such wonderful care of me throughout the pregnancy. I am so grateful for their love and support. Ladies, if I didn't thank you then, thank you!

 At my baby shower. Surrounded by those who loved and supported me. Thank you ladies! (Wish I had a picture of everyone, this is the best I could find)

Nick came home in Nov of 2012 and completed our family. The last year we have been spending time together and really enjoying spending time with all of our dear friends. I have loved spending time with you all and consider you my Va Beach Family!

As I look back at my time in Va Beach, the thing that stands out above the location, our home, the beach or the fun events we have enjoyed, is the people we enjoyed them with. I cherish the memories made with each of you and can only say, "See you soon!"