A Tribute to My Heroes

I remember growing up with my brothers and watching super hero cartoons and seeing the amazing powers each super hero possessed. Just as Disney has tricked us into thinking the perfect relationship is one where there is no fighting, constant gentleness and love every second of every day, super hero cartoons and comic books have tricked society into thinking all super heroes wear capes and possess supernatural powers.  I know I speak for all of us when I say, these are not the heroes we see in our lives... ever.  The people we see as heroes are the ones that have influenced our lives in a plethora of positive ways and continue to do so every day. 

Personally, I have two heroes, neither one of them wears a cape or has an amazing super power. Both of them are human and both of them have made me into the person I am today. First let me begin with my Marine.  My Marine has made me such a strong person and helped me to find the person I have dreamed of being since I was a little girl. He truly brings out the best in me and shows me that love is capable of many things. I look up to my Marine in many ways, for he is tough but loving at the same time, funny but serious when he needs to be, comforting but will not sugar coat anything, genuine, honest and loyal. I am proud of the man I have watched him become over the past few years, and proud of the woman I have become as I support him through his military career.  

You know how people say you will date a man that is like your father? Well it is true. My Marine resembles my father in so many ways, which brings me to my next hero, my dad. My dad is a retired Colonel in the Army. He raised me like I was one of his cadets with fatherly affection, of course.  He is someone I look up to for guidance, advice, life lessons, really anything. My father has showed me how hard life can be, but how important it is to keep pushing on and look forward to the future. He has shown me that getting help is okay, that helping others is as important as helping yourself and no one deserves to be disrespected. My dad is an amazing person that has been through so much to reach his current place in life. I am proud of him and all of his accomplishments. I only hope to be the female version of him one day!

These two men have shown me that a hero is human. A hero is someone that makes mistakes, apologizes, gets back up and keeps moving on and enjoying life. My Marine and my dad are two men in my life that will never leave, will always support and love me as I support and love them, and will always show me how important it is to be yourself, love yourself, respect yourself and never let something defeat you. I owe so much to these two men, they are my heroes, my best friends and the loves of my life (in different ways, of course).

I don't know how else to say this to you two, but thank you.

Show it Who's Boo

Through the journey of life there will be days you never want to relive and moments you never want to happen again, but those always seem to be forgotten after some time has passed. Those days and memories always seem to be less dominant in your mind than the good memories and moments.
Through distance and deployment there will definitely be those days you never want to relive, want to completely forget, and you wish never happened. They are truly inevitable. I want each and every one of you to do/have something every day you enjoy. Do not go to sleep thinking, "today was a waste of a day." Just because you broke down, missed your man more than normal, cried yourself to sleep, or didn't want to get out of bed in the morning does not mean your whole day was bad. Do not let deployment and distance ruin days, months or years of your life. Live everyday for yourself if your man is not here. Still show him you love him, but show him you can do this on your own. Show him you are strong and will not let deployment or distance take over. Break down, but get back up and smile. Miss your man, but realize you are so lucky to have someone so amazing to miss. Cry yourself to sleep, and wake up the next morning telling yourself "today is going to be a great day." Get out of bed and make yourself pretty because you are going to make today a good day. Do not let deployment make a bad day into a bad month and then a bad year. Let deployment be time for you to SHINE and time for you to live and do things you cannot do while your man is home. Do not let deployment or distance defeat you. Instead, kick deployment and distance's ass, and show it who's boss!

A New Year, Start Fresh

Happy New Year!!!!
People say a new year brings a fresh start. I always thought the people that said things like that were silly because there is no way one day can change your outlook on life completely. As I sat by the window this morning, looking out at the snow, my coffee in hand, alone while everyone slept I thought about what I want to change about myself, do extra, or get rid of in 2013. While doing that, I realized a new year really is a fresh start. You get to start the year learning from the mistakes you made in 2012. You get to start the year with mature thoughts about what you are going to do for YOURSELF this year. You get to reflect on past anger and forget about it because you realize it is truly in the past. And you get to start the year off smiling because of the love you feel and share with your military man.
This is the year I get to see my love again. It is still a little ways away, but nothing makes me more excited about this year than seeing him again. As I sat at the window this morning I cried just thinking about seeing him again. He is such a major part of my life that I truly do not know what I would do without him. Of course these things do not go through everyone's mind, but they sure did go through mine this morning. 2013 is going to be a wonderful year. 2013 is going to be a memorable year. I am going to make it one! What about you?