Thank Goodness for Girlfriends

Last night I had a wonderful movie and ice cream night with some friends. I know that probably doesn't sound too exciting but for a bunch of moms who only see things in the theater that are animated, it was a good time. We saw "He's Just Not That Into You" which was actually pretty good. I'm definitely glad I'm not trying to navigate the dating world in today's society after seeing that. Of course Jim had to hear the whole play by play of the entire movie when I got home. But what I really enjoyed the most about my evening was the company. There is something about the military that just bonds people together. As much as I hate packing up and leaving all of my friends every three years, God never seems to leave me lonely for long. There are always amazing new women waiting at our next post with open arms. What amazes me is that everyone is in the same boat, somehow or another. We all make friends quickly because none of us will be around for long so it's easy to bypass the formalities. We have all dealt with deployments and loss and can understand how difficult it is for someone to go home to an empty house just to turn on the news and pray for nothing. We've all gone through difficult times while far away and separated from "old" friends and family. There is a reason we refer to our military friends as our military family. Because we are. These are the people we will spend Thanksgiving with. They are the people who call you or knock on your door if they haven't heard enough chaos coming out of your house. They are the people who will send you encouraging emails or bring by dinner in the middle of the week when your husband is in the field and your kids are sick. They are the people who don't have to know who you are or even much about you to welcome you and invite you into their inner circle, even though you are new. I'm certainly not saying that they are a replacement for your real family, but they are pretty darn close. So thanks all you military spouses, for understanding the day to day struggles, calling on me when you need help and answering my calls as well, and welcoming me into your lives. This life certainly isn't easy, or like anything I could have imagined, but the people who have touched our lives have made it more than worthwhile.