Friends in unexpected places

Last night I had dinner with a fellow marine wife who was from my husband's previous platoon. We are the only ones out of the previous group that were PCSed to Camp Lejeune. I had never really given any of the wives a chance simply because of the rumors I heard about them around the platoon and even from what my husband had told me about them, I was not ready to get friendly with any of the girls. However, with this wife, things have been a little different. Last night, her husband was working late, and she did not want to be alone that late, so I told her I'd keep her company. She cooked spaghetti and we had some wine. It was really nice!
Since both of our husbands have been in the same company for over two years, we had a lot to talk about, and we knew a lot of the same people. It was not only nice to get some girl talk, but it was also really nice to know that I had someone I could talk to about the hardships of being a military wife as well as the upcoming deployment the guys are gonna be going to in Afghanistan.
The night just reminded me that with all of the negativity of the military and the life of the military wives, it is so easy to get caught up in all the drama and the rumors that can be easily spread throughout a platoon. The important thing that I have learned is to REALLY watch out who you tell things to, and how much of your life you want to share with other people. You can't just not go out there and try, but when you do try to get involved with other people, especially in the military, you just have to have a guarded heart.
It was really suprising to know how much we had in common. It was also very comforting to know that I am not the only one going through this crazy life, and that there are other people out there who know exactly how I feel. It's so important for us wives to stick together, and to remember to help each other instead of bring each other down. Just remember that sometimes in order to find friends, you have to go over and beyond wha tyou expected of yourself, and even from what you expect from others. The experience can be very rewarding, you just have to give it a try.

Semper Fi: Always Faithful

Through the good times and bad in the Marine Corps, I have learned a lot over the past two years. I have been a marine wife for a year and a half and am quickly understanding everyday how much I need God on a daily basis. I married my high school sweetheart and through every thing, we have been on the craziest roller coaster ride ever. I do not know how much of that is because of who I married or the fact that I married into the marine corps.
Anyway, through it all, I am learning more and more about myself and about how much my relationship with God has a profound effect on my marriage. I was born and raised in a Christian home, and was baptized at age seven. However, throughout my life, I thought I never really "needed" God in my life. And then he introduced me to my husband. God has continually shown me on a daily basis how much I need him in my life and how much I need to put him in the center of my marriage.
The slogan of the Marine Corps is "Semper Fidelis" which means "Always Faithful." In the military, this slogan is often scoffed at due to the reputation for military marriages falling apart. But I would like to take it from a different point of view. I would like to use it as a reminder that God has given us to remain faithful to Him, throughout good times and bad. It is easier said then done, but it is a constant reminder to me of how much I need to remain faithful not only to my husband, but to my creator as well. I really hope that this blog will help the women and maybe even some men who need to be reminded of that during the hard life that the military people lead.