on deployment

The season is upon us. Deployment. I remember when we first started dating almost four years ago, I wouldn't even say that word out loud. My girlfriends would always tease me about my dread of the word but somehow I got over that through the years. We overcame many obstacles over the years being in a long distance relationship and when we finally officially commissioned lo and behold he got stationed across the country. Once we got in the groove of things we got word that he was up for deployment for 9 months. 

This may sound silly but I already have various little white boards in my apartment with a countdown that reads "274ish days till deployment is OVER!" C has been my rock through all this, and we know that we got this. 274ish days is a long time but at the same time its a minor bump through the rest of our lives. When I get to wishing through times like this, I wonder if I would really like to end up with a man with a tradition 8-5 job? But then I remember all the things I am because of the army, I mean I am a stronger woman and our relationship has stood trials that most civilian relationships don't face. C wouldn't be the man he is without the Army. So I've realized that I wouldn't have it ANY other way. 

I have a long list of things I want to accomplish before C is home again, for good, for a while. I'll share my deployment bucket list soon. My moto through these next 274ish days is that I can't do this but I'm going to do it anyway. Missing the person you love is something that isn't the easiest thing in the world but I've learned that perception is everything. Mind over matter. Constantly. 

Here's to a swift 9 months of separation. And a lifetime of togetherness. 

-Nisha