I can't deny it any longer, I am a Navy spouse. For more than five years, I've never really felt like one. Yes, we've been in the Navy all of our married years, but Brian's part of the medical community, which historically is not viewed as the real Navy. Let's face it, the real Navy requires time and sacrifice and we haven't done our share of either yet.
Even living overseas in Japan, we were together as a family all but one month. I realized we were lucky to be enjoying the experience together and counted my blessings, while many of my friends from other commands were alone more often than not. But something tells me these next two years of Brian's ship duty will indoctrinate me into their way of life, if only temporarily (hopefully). And it is because of them and their continual courage that I think I will be able to approach this journey a little more positively.
Let's start with the fact that I am glad to be back in Norfolk and to be able to experience a whole new side of this city--with two children this time. But if you know me, brace yourselves for a few rants now and then--after all, I'll often be a "single" mom with two young children. Who can blame me?
