A Woman, A Wife, A Heroine!

Hmm…  what to say.

Well 20-something years ago, in a small community in North Alabama a child was born.  This small new life had no clue what was in store yet, and just smiled at being in the world.  That infant grew into a happy, pretty, little girl who loved to play and dreamed big dreams of the future.  Little did she know what was in store for her.  A little over ten years ago, while attending the wedding of a friend, her life was changed.  Her life would never be the same again.  She would endure hardships, traverse miles, cope with loneliness, almost lose a pregnancy, and live through things that would make most people quit.  She would also find love, have a beautiful child, and make many lasting friendships.

One day, at the prodding of her mother and her mothers friends, she went to a wedding.  At that wedding were two single men.  One was young, tall, and handsome.  The other was in a bad mood, brooding, and not as tall or handsome.  She met them both and later that night decided to actually talk to the second.  He ended up having a great time he didn’t expect, and actually dancing with her.  He cautiously asked her out again, expecting a refusal, but instead he got a number!  He waited anxiously two days and called.  She accepted the date, and things were a foregone conclusion from there.

Four years later, she had dealt with his long hours as a paramedic, and even longer times away as an offshore medic.  She was still there and putting up with all his crap.  His being gone, working long hours, never wanting to do anything but sit on the couch, sleep, and play HALO.  So he decided to make a plan.  He spent many months calling in markers, making reservations, and arranging a special weekend away.  He took her to New Orleans and stayed in a Grand Hotel.  They partied, as only they know how (not very wild), and had a great time.  Then he decided it was time, and he proposed.  Was it elegant or sophisticated like she deserved?  No, he is such a lug.  She screamed and jumped up and down and almost passed out from hyperventilation though.  She, of course, answered yes, and they were married in a small church in her hometown several months later.

Time passed, and they struggled with bills, a money pit house, and a job 12 hours away.  She became pregnant after trying for three years!  After a difficult pregnancy, a beautiful little girl was born.  However, financial problems still persisted, and against all his efforts, her husband found the best solution was to go back in the army, even in a time of war.  Did she quit?  No she stood by and supported him, even though he was gone 6 months later and has yet to have any appreciable time at home since.  When he asked, she moved 1200 miles from her family to another state, where after three weeks her husband left for the war.  She was left alone, with only a few new acquaintances, and no idea what to do next.  Did she give up?  No, she learned to pay bills, cope with distance, raise a child, and made friends in the process.  She even started back finishing her degree!

Her commitment to her husband has never faltered, even though at times her resentment of the situation has run deep.  He never doubted that she would stick by him and have faith in thier future.  They been through “better or worse,” and lived “richer and poorer,”  mostly the latter of the two, but has she quit, given up and gone home to her parents.  No!  She has stayed, learned to cope with being left behind, and she has raised a beautiful little girl.  A girl that is God’s miracle. She even puts up with the fact that he cannot remember if her birthday is the 7th or 8th of the month! 

So here she is, on her birthday, many hundreds of miles away from her home.  She is waiting for him to come home so they can be together for more than a few weeks at a time. He looks forward to that day as well, and he hopes she will continue to be there for many years to come.

I know that I don’t say it enough, and she knows I am not a man of romantic words, but I Love her, and I will until the days we have come to an end. 

I Love You and Happy Birthday!

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