I remember when I went to my first "future military spouses" meeting. Parker and I were engaged, and a couple of seasoned military wives were kind enough to talk to all of us newbies about the wonderful/scary/crazy adventure we were about to embark upon. They were using words and talking about things I had never even heard of, but I didn't want to be the one who asked 20 million questions. We've been doing this military thing for almost 3 years now, we've lived in 5 different homes, and I still hear words I don't know in casual conversation. However, there are a few things that I hear or see that definitely remind me I am a military spouse.
You know you're a military spouse when...
Someone asks you to list your addresses from the last 5 years, and you want to ask them to recite the phone book because it's basically the same thing.
You know your husband's social security number better than your own.
You know what "ditty, PCS, MWR, per diem, and TDY" mean. Despite knowing these, your husband still comes home on a daily basis and repeats words/acronyms you've never heard of.
You find small stickers all over everything. Instead of removing them, you leave them there knowing the movers are just going to stick on more when the next move rolls around. It's a losing battle.
You don't mind complaining about the military, but the minute someone does it who isn't living the military lifestyle, you instantly get defensive.
"Homecoming" doesn't mean a high school football game.
"Det" doesn't mean you owe money.
No matter home many times you see your spouse in their dress uniforms, you always have to do a double take because they look so darn handsome!
When your husband is in his uniform, you instinctively wrap your arm around his rather than holding hands because that's PDA, which is frowned upon.
If you're anything like me, you absolutely love this lifestyle, but you also don't know how to do married life any other way.
Meet my fellow military spouse/real life friend Jenn from Jenn Hopes!
Oh man these are true! :) Love this post.
ReplyDeleteI love the perspective you give to those of us who are 100% civilians! And I love your optimism and love for Christ through the struggles and joys of military life.
ReplyDeleteBrianna
xobriannaleigh.com
I'm still learning all about the military life, but it still hits home.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. My husband isn't in the military but he makes movies so I understand the different lingos.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I know too many military acronyms, thanks to NCIS/JAG/Army Wives and my military friends!
ReplyDeleteI always have to think twice when someone asks my for my own SSN!
ReplyDeleteOh yes!! I love all these!!! Especially the acronyms! haha My husband is forever using new ones that I'm not sure I will ever be able to catch up!! I love finding those stickers!! I grew up in the Army too, so finding them is like a little reminder of all the past moves and memories!! Dress uniform!! LOVE!! I love his regular everyday acus too! Yay for military wives!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true for all of these and I am loving that adorable photo of you and Parker!
ReplyDeleteI was IN the military myself and my hubby STILL says things I don't understand sometimes....I think it has to do with aircraft.
ReplyDeleteWe just applied for a mortgage pre-approval and had to list our previous addresses. Then USAA called to verify that all of those addresses were ours. Yep. Move #3 in 18 months coming up!
ReplyDeleteHaving so many friends who are military spouses I smiled as I read your list! What heroes y'all are!!!
ReplyDelete:) Rebecca
www.caravansonnet.com
Don't give up the fight, you can find all the stickers! At least that's what I tell myself. And I can't decide which I like better, dress uniform or flight suit ... but both sure take up a lot of space!
ReplyDeleteYes to all of this! I have accidentally messed up my social before because I am so used to reciting Tom's first that I got thrown off.
ReplyDelete