Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Look at me now

I always told myself I would never date a military man. Probably because of the first one I met when I moved to California. He was my then-boyfriend's roommate, and he was a scumbag sailor in the US Navy. I mean this guy sucked at life. He was the "friend" that always had the all-powerful bad influence over my boyfriend. Even at the time I knew that my boyfriend was just as much at fault for his own shitty behavior, yet I couldn't help but blame the loser & magnify his flaws. He used his friends, he lied, and he constantly cheated on his gorgeous girlfriend who thought the world of him. The few military guys that I met after this initial encounter did little to sway my first impression.

Fast forward about 5 years. Now I'm working in a country-themed bar, and that kind of establishment in a military town like San Diego has a tendency to attract all the displaced folks who were raised in a rural area. Namely military guys & gals. While working there, I was hit on more times that I care to count, and not because I'm pretty or funny or nice or honest. I was hit on because I was a girl in a bar. Plain & simple. Over the years I've heard plenty of pick-up lines, and just as many obscene attempts to hook-up. In total I was proposed to 9 times during my 2 years in that bar. ha! ha! Don't worry, I didn't take any of it seriously - my natural reaction was to laugh it all off. The lack of sincerity in romantic gestures in that atmosphere was palpable. But throughout my exposure to the Military Types, I did forge some lasting friendships with people who did not suck at life. And I had to admit to myself that they weren't all bad, but I still held fast to my resolution that I would never date a military man.

Present day:  I'm over a year into the best relationship of my entire life. I've found a man who is my match in every way, my very best friend, the love of my life... and he just happens to be a United States Marine. When I first met Joey I was actually bummed that he was active duty and I didn't think that a serious relationship was in the cards. But that's the thing about life - "Never say never." As fate would have it, I've fallen head over feet in love with this man. And with him, comes the military and the uncertainty that goes along with it. Right now we are more than half way through his 3rd deployment with the Marine Corps, but this is my first deployment as a girlfriend. I've seen friends deploy before & they seemed to return fairly quickly. In hindsight the last 5.5 months have gone by quickly and yet leisurely all at the same time. The distance has actually helped us grow closer together because it's helped to cement our already solid foundation. We lean on each other and turn towards each other with all of our issues. Most of all, we communicate. That's got to be one of my favorite things about Joey - we can honestly communicate with each other. I'm grateful beyond words that he found me.

With his homecoming right around the corner (2 months? 3 months?? more????) we are talking more and more about our future together. But guess what? The Marine Corps is calling all the shots. They will decide when he can come home, they will decide how much time he will have away from work, and they will decide when & where he will go next. Joey has told me about some orders that are looming on the horizon, and how he wants me to come with him. As much as I love him, I will gladly go where ever he may go, and that's looking more and more like it will be in North Carolina. Only time (and the Marine Corps) will tell when and where, but I will go anywhere with him.

Aside from the fantastic love I now have in my life, I'm also at the beginning of a solid career that I am passionate about. About 4 months ago I completed the Veterinary Technician program at Pima Medical Institute & graduated with an Associates of Applied Science. I'd be lying if I said that a college degree ain't a big deal. I worked hard for that piece of paper and it's a great feeling knowing that I set a goal and achieved it. Last month I passed the massively difficult Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) which qualifies me to be licensed in the state. I'm one exam away from being a Licensed Registered Veterinary Technician!! This is a huge step forward in my field that will help me out down the road, especially if a cross-country move is in my future.

Contemplating where I currently am in life, looking back at where I've been, and anxiously awaiting what is ahead of me, I can't help but feel humbled and blessed. I really do try to live in the moment and not dwell too much on what I can't affect or alter, and so far that's made me pretty damn happy. So, here's to a new year, full of change. And here's to all the happiness, love, and light that I can emit into the Universe & allow to permeate my own existence.   <3 nbsp="" p="">