Since then, a lot has happened...
1. Planned a quick wedding set to happen just before Marcus deployed to Afghanistan.
2. Two weeks before the wedding we got word that Marcus would be deploying early on an emergency deployment to help the people of Pakistan with their, at the time, recent flooding.
3. He was set to leave 3 days before our wedding...UGH!!!
4. In a blur of tears and disappointment we had to cancel our wedding ceremony and concentrate on getting him ready for deployment. (My amazing mom contacted everyone to let them know--a lot of hard work)
5. We eloped and got all our paperwork and military stuff in order
6. Visited Marcus's family in a hurry (4 states in 4 days)
7. Packed him up and sent him off
Deployment: supposed to be 7months, ended up 9 1/2months:
1. First month was tough
2. Found out Pakistan was canceled and they were going to be doing training missions in Africa and the Middle East.
3. Second month, I went home to Colorado for a month to be with my family and for some encouragement.
4. Marcus and I exchanged emails a few times during the first 2 months then communication was cut off.
5. In 4 months only 3 phone calls, 1 of which we actually made it to the end of the call and got to say goodbye (the other two calls were dropped partway through)
6. Christmas got to skype with each other almost everyday for a week and a half. It was so encouraging for me. Made me feel like I could make it!
7. Last 5 months: Not much communication from here. A couple more phone calls, one to two months in between.
8. last month got connected with a marine wife of the same deployment and found out when they thought he'd be home. It changed 5-6 times, it was very discouraging. It started off March then April, then May, then maybe June or July, then June, then finally May. They let us know the week before the exact date. Talk about crazy!
9. May 5th he arrived home! I had gotten us an apartment near the Marine base and moved in the day before. It was a bit hectic, but I unpacked just enough that he didn't have to come home to chaos.
10. It was an exciting night, but we knew the weeks ahead would be a tough transition.
We did alright. Excited to be together, but he needed time and space to adjust back to "civilian life." I had been prepped a little by a couple of girlfriends, and that made it easier.
After two months, he finally started to feel more at home and relaxed. After 3 months he was completely home...he was sleeping better, eating better, feeling better. "He was present" is the best way to describe it. It was nice to see him doing well, feeling loved, and fully loving back without much effort. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's how it is for a lot guys after returning from war.
Now here we are. It's his last week in the military. He'll be discharged on Friday. Next week, we'll be moving to Kentucky near some of his family and a great church that he's been part of for years. We just got two older puppies, Rocky(1yr. old golden retriever/lab mix) and Daisy(6month old german shepherd). A cute little family!
And...We are finally having a wedding ceremony the end of November in Colorado.
We're excited to be done with military life, especially Marcus, and ready to start living life as civilians again! A lot of changes, good ones, and we'll keep you updated!
Laura
