My husband has worn a uniform for almost half of his life. It defines him.
And, it defines me.
I often reflect on how being a military family has shaped my goals, my priorities, my career, and how I approach motherhood. I must tell you, in my six years of being an Army Wife, I have learned some of the greatest lessons in preparation for becoming a mom from the military.
Fully committed. Military service and motherhood both require unwavering commitment and perseverance. It is not a job for the half-hearted or the faint of heart.
There will be peaks and valleys. Oh, yes, so many things about the military life I love and loathe. We have lived in great places and met so many wonderful people. We have also endured immense uncertainty and stress. Everything proves to be temporary and fleeting. Same goes for raising a family. There will be highs and lows as a mother, but neither will last. Eventually your baby will sleep and your toddler will be potty-trained.
Some things are beyond your control. I have learned this lesson the hard way multiple times. The Army often trumps what happens in our home. From missing holidays to working on a night in which we have had plans for months, it feels like the Army dictates so much of our family life. I can fight it or I can prepare for it. You will not be able to control all aspects of parenting a child. Do the best you can when you can.
Grit. You can be assured you will need both courage and resolve as a military family and mother. It may be to simply get out of the door each day or during challenging times. I have a list of my least favorite things to do, and because of either the military or motherhood, they are also the things I tend do most frequently. You will have to address issues you never imagined you would, and, yet, somehow, you always have the strength.
Life is precious. Period.
Love really is all you need. When everything you own is packed in the back of a semi-truck and you are sleeping on the floor of a new home in a new city with just your family, it hits you; love is all you need in this world. Every challenge, every feat, love will get you through it.
As a military family, there are some things that are just beyond our control. Loving your life is truly the greatest lesson I have learned. The military often interrupts plans, but, then again, so does being a mother.
