The first few clips you see are from John's boot camp family day and graduation. This was us just starting out in our "military relationship." It was three months apart - nothing but letters (which I still have in a book that I made). We missed Valentine's Day and my senior prom, but that's okay (we had a blast at my junior prom)! He graduated boot camp at Paris Island, SC on May 6, 2011. Wow! What an emotional and proud day!
The next few pictures (where John is wearing cammies) are from his Marine Combat Training (MCT) graduation. It was a month long with nothing but two letters. They are in the field most of the time, so mail is slow, and they don't have much time to write. Over that time he missed seeing his sister and I graduate high school and my 18th birthday. This day was extra fun because I told him I wasn't going to be able to make it to the family day (which his family was) but that I would try to make it the next day for graduation. It was a successful surprise! June 14, 2011 in Jacksonville, NC.
After that, he went off to Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school in Twentynine Palms, CA; this is where he was trained for his job. It was nice because we could finally have somewhat of normal communication. Only a 3 hour time difference to account for. After about three months over there, he was able to take leave for a week. He used that to surprise his family! Only his aunt and myself knew about it. I picked up John from ILM airport and drove to good ole' Ayden, NC! The woman you see screaming "omg! omg! omg!" is his mother. Needless to say, she was surprised! John is such a momma's boy. :) It was a great visit and something that will never be forgotten. (Oh and the young blond girl is his litter sister, Sarah. She wasn't at the cookout so she didn't know he was home. She was bawling! She loves her big brother.) July 4, 2011.
Back to school he went! He finished up his school around the time that I was just starting mine. College! He did awesome in his schooling and also picked up rank while there (Private First Class). This was also the time when his future duty station would be determined. Wow.. this is even hard to type. *sigh* here goes. So.. he wanted to get somewhere like Camp Lejeune (which is only 40 minutes from where I am), but of course the military doesn't always give you what you want. During the time that John was being placed, the Marine Corps needed a large number of new Marines in Okinawa, Japan. So guess what? That's what he got. I still remember the day he called me to deliver the news. We were both devastated. It's a weird feeling when your heart is breaking for the one you love, and you want to make them feel better, but you can't even console yourself? It was a quiet phone call; not much needed to be said. We decided to just take things as they came. People have asked me.. and no, I never once thought about leaving him - not when he joined and not when this happened. So! (the first airport clip you see is) After three more months, John graduated school and came home for four short days (of which I saw him two, thanks school!) But like always, we made the best of it! September 10, 2011.
Then, it was hello Okinawa! Now this was an adjustment. It is a 13 hour time difference. But we have a schedule now and since John is such a great boyfriend and really puts effort into our relationship, we talk all the time! :) Sorry to get all sappy on you guys but I just want to say I am SO proud of him! He has been through SO much and is still the same amazing man I fell in love with. While he was gone he also picked up his next rank, Lance Corporal. He has now been to Korea twice (which are the pictures you see of him boarding a ship, sleeping on the ground, etc). He had to miss his 20th birthday at home, our 2 year anniversary, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, Easter, and all the other things that went on while he was away. Then came the best homecoming yet! (the second airport clip) After NINE looooong months, he finally got to take leave! He was home for about three weeks and we loved every minute of it! We went to Myrtle Beach with his family, enjoyed going to church, some date nights, hanging out, everything! Everything any regular couple would take for granted, we value x10. I mean, just look at our smiles! June 1, 2012.
That pretty much sums it all up. The past almost two years of military life for us. Things haven't exactly been easy, but it's definitely worth it! Every reunion, every minute spent together, I am reminded of why I do what I do to stay with him. He is my best friend.
