Verrrry Interesting

The other day we went to a neighborhood birthday party at which Erik was one of the only husbands in attendance.

Several of the husbands in the neighborhood are on missions that were supposed to run for 3 months on (in Germany, Africa, etc) and three months home. FOR TWO YEARS! Then the Army realized how AWFUL that was after two rotations and decided the last rotation would be for six months, but then it would be over.

Leaving SO MANY women, who had done their jobs as Army wives and planned accordingly, to give birth alone. DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON THIS! WE ARE NOT AT WAR AND THIS WAS NOT NECESSARY!

Anyway.

As we sat at this party yesterday, listening to the wives chatter about when their husbands will be home (it's coming up fast!) I looked at Erik who was paying attention (for probably the first time) to what it's like to be the one left behind. How excited they are, the photos, the search for the right outfits, the date nights were all covered. I'm not sure he had any idea that those of us at home obsessed this much, this far out, about the day they walk back into our homes for the first time in months. He answered a few questions about the reintegration process and then took Nash home because he was getting too hot.

Over dinner that night, he asked ME a few question and we talked about how hard it is when the whole post isn't gone, to have your husband away. I've had it both ways, and I have to say, it's somehow easier when everyone is miserable and not just you. I really feel for these women. When your husband is gone for an extended period, time kind of stops. But it also manages to keep marching on with a gaping, husband-sized hole in it. It's hard to pull that hole back together for your kids. Really hard.

I am so grateful that in just a few short weeks those holes can be filled in, just as they should be! And I'm grateful that Erik got a little peek from my side of the parade field.