I owe Melissa for my husband!

I am married to that handsome man in the picture because of my amazing friend, Melissa. She encouraged me to write men in the military who were members of our church, and because of that simple request I ended up writing James (among a handful of others). While I enjoyed writing these other members and learning of their experiences, James is the one that unexpectedly became my best friend, and before I knew it we were married. :) Of all the things I expected to happen in my life, meeting my husband the way I did was not one of them. But I wouldn't change a thing, and both James and I are forever thankful to Melissa for introducing us. It's been a whirlwind romance, and my life has sure changed quickly. A year ago I was venting to Melissa about the awful dates I was going on, and now I'm calling her for advice about being a military spouse. :) She's sure helped me through a lot of my stages in life. Because of her and her family I graduated college, and now again because of her I married the man of my dreams. :) Thanks, Melissa!



Right now I'm in Oceanside, CA spending time with James before he deploys end of March. I have to say it's been a really funny experience going from spending time with boyfriend James and new-husband-on-our-honeymoon James to marine James. There is quite a difference. :) I've had the opportunity to chat with other military wives on the base here about what to expect, and certain characteristic behavior of our husbands. For example, if we are not 15 minutes early than we are late, according to James. That's been a shift because if I'm only 15 minutes late than I feel like I'm doing pretty good. :) It caught me by surprise a little to see that stern and straight face and straight walk he gives while on base dressed in his uniform, versus the casual laughs and smiles I get when it's just us two together. :) All in all, it's been such an amazing experience and although I've had my moments where I felt overwhelmed, I feel incredibly blessed. With James...and good friends such as Melissa...I'm ready to take on this new world and see where we go with it. :)