On His Way

At 9:37 am Eastern time Chris texted me a Goodbye for the last time. He took off on the biggest adventure he has ever had in the Army. He didn't sleep at all last night in hopes of being able to sleep on the majority of the 22 hour plane ride!
His plane was 30 minutes delayed this morning because of a severe thunderstorm which we saw as an opportunity to chat and text nonstop! We were fortunate enough to be able to video chat late into the evening, and he called me about every hour throughout the night. I didn't mind, I wasn't sleeping anyway.

Even though we both knew that this was happening, it was hard to face the reality of it. We were so fortunate to be able to talk and see each other over the last month and a half that the thought of him leaving the states had pretty much vanished. But the time finally game to face the grim reality that he was, in fact, going to Iraq for an entire year. Let the water works flow! I think this was harder than watching him get on that bus.
Chris has done everything he humanly can to make sure that I'll be ok while he's gone. We've talked about every scenario that may present itself to me and how to handle it. We've talked about finances, fixes to the house and even painstakingly deliberated on where to vacation for his R & R! That one I didn't mind so much! :) I am so incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful husband to take care of me and worry about me so much. But from here on out, he need only worry about himself and his soldiers. I will miss him every second he is gone and count down the days until I can give him a hug again. But for now, he is my hero, doing a job that requires him to be selfless and focused and in a place that couldn't be further from home.
We won't be able to communicate for the next couple of weeks until he gets settled at his post, and he's not really sure when that will be. I'll be keeping myself busy with projects around the house in the mean time, and hopefully the time will pass quickly. I look forward to the day that I hear his voice, unexpectedly, from a number that can only be from the other side of the world. The days will pass, some will be harder than others, but I'll take comfort in the fact that he loves me so much and that he is proudly serving his country!

I will be sure to post his APO address as soon as I get it. I will hopefully have it before his birthday on the 26th, but no promises! I'm sure he would love belated cards and gifts!
Please keep him and the 299th in your thoughts and prayers. I have faith that we will get through this and will come out stronger on the other side!

Love you, miss you, always thinking about you sweety. You make me so proud to call you my husband.