Remember September – Another Perspective

For those of you following the Remember September Project, I said that I would provide you with different perspectives from my friends across the military.  Last week I brought my best friend Lisa to you, and today I have my friend Krista here for you. I first met Krista in the 3×6 Bee. We were in the same sampler hive in the second quarter. We were both military wives with hubby’s deployed. Like Lisa, Krista’s husband is also in the US Air Force. At the beginning of June I got a message from her asking if I wanted to meet up and do the Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop with her and I said yes! I brought my friend Dawn and Anne with me and she brought her 2 year old son and a friend with her. We became almost instant friends and she has become one of my go to Battle Buddies for this deployment.

You may be curious as to what a “Battle Buddy” is…here is the wikipedia definition: “A Battle Buddy is a partner assigned to a fellow soldier in the United States Armed Forces.  Each Battle Buddy is expected to assist his or her partner both in and out of combat. Most participating soldiers have reported satisfaction and have agreed that the Army should implement the system fully, although there have been cons reported as well. A Battle Buddy is not only intended for company, but also for the reduction of suicide; since each watches his partner’s actions, a Battle Buddy can save their fellow soldier’s life by noticing negative thoughts and feelings and intervening to provide help.^[1][2]” Now wives aren’t assigned their Battle Buddies, we find them as we go and we support each other as best as we possibly can!

Krista and her husband Chris have 3 adorable boys.

1. You have been a military spouse for over 7 years now, and while this is your husband’s first deployment, it is not your first separation. What has that been like for you and your family?

Well for sure, I thought I was ready for this deployment. Nope. I totally got high-fives in the face with reality. Its the things like fighting (which every married couple does in a month period) that you can’t really fight or express your feelings because it’s all via email. Emotions can be read into things. (not that I would ever do that) 😉

I would say the biggest thing though, is the guilt. The guilt that my boys, Connor (5), Logan (2.5) and Jacob (1), may not remember their daddy. Or that they forget he lives here too. The other side too, is the guilt I have for doing things like going to the pool or visiting family that my hubby can’t do.

Now on the exact other side, I don’t have to plan meals!! Chicken nuggets and French fries are a fabulous meal for my bunch of boys! I have a bunch more time for sewing too! So well it’s tough, there are PLENTY of benefits!

2. What does this project mean to you?  The fact that soldiers are given homemade gifts from people from all over.

This project means a whole bunch to me. This project is helping care for my husband and troops, in a way that we can’t. I’d love to go give him a hug and kiss with presents in my hand. This project is doing just that. Giving them a hug.

My hubby has airmen in his squadron that have never gotten a package while deployed. That just breaks my heart, that there’s some 18-24 year old boy without a present or surprise in his whole deployment.

3. What do you think people need to know about military families and what they go through?

I think that people need to know that we may complain about the military and all it’s glory, but deep down we love it. We love the American flag more than most. We love our husbands/wives.  We love our families. We chose this life and a huge chunk of us wouldn’t change it for the world.

As military spouses we are constantly asked things that can be hard to deal with, how would you answer those questions?

Yes, we ALWAYS miss our husbands/wives when they are gone.
No, we aren’t trying to be rude when we say we don’t know when they will be home. We HONESTLY don’t know.
Yes your spouse may be gone on a trip for a conference. Unless he’s getting shot at and in 110+ temps, it’s not the same. We worry EVERY minute if they will come home safe/soon.

5. What do you think it would mean to your husband to receive a handmade gift from a complete stranger while he is deployed?

I know my husband will be sincerely touched that other people have taken the time to make him something special. He will be eternally grateful for the thought.

Thank you so much Krista for sharing with us today and thank you for the sacrifices that you, your children and your husband are making for our country. I will leave everyone with a picture of Krista’s front door, a reminder that military families always have someone in their hearts.