Midtour leave is a beautiful and rare thing these days. Service members have to have a tour of at least 9 months to even qualify for two weeks off. Mac chose to take his leaves more than halfway into his tours to minimize the amount of time he has to spend back in Afghan-land.
Expectation: Your first night together will be full of passion and amazing sex.
Reality: Your beloved will pass out shortly after showering and eating.
Expectation: Your days are filled with fun activities, trips to new places, and meals at that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try.
Reality: Your days are planned with a nap and early bedtime in mind.
Expectation: You won’t even notice the calendar.
Reality: You’ll wonder how two weeks goes by so quickly when he’s home.
Expectation: You’ll do everything you spent the months leading up to leave talking about and planning.
Reality: You’ll savor every moment and just enjoy being together.
What were your experiences with mid-tour leave?
Jarrod did a 7 month stint in Afghanistan, but because of complications with my pregnancy with our second, and having to be induced at 36 weeks, he was able to come home for 10 days. So his leave include no sex, sleepless nights, and lots of naps. But it also included walking our 14 month old down to the playground, snuggling with the new baby, and helping me around the house. I wouldn’t have had it any other way!
We have had two of them and both were really nice. One was only 3 months in and I had a newborn and the other was 8 months in and we were able to get away by ourselves. I know some people don’t like them but they have always been good for us.
Our mid tour leave was crazy busy when Rob spent a year in Kuwait. He was home for my birthday and his. We celebrated. And just enjoyed being together. Keep in mind that his coming home permanently will be much the same!