Today, I’m linking up with two good bloggy friends (Jen and Amanda) in honor of military spouse appreciation day.
Tell us about yourself and your blog.
I’m Lisa. I’m 26, and I graduated from Virginia Tech 5 years ago. I’ve been a military “significant other” for 6 years, and we’ve been married for about three and a half years. Mac has deployed twice and we’ve managed to move four times all in four years. My blog is about my life with the occasional recipe and guest post from the cat (aka Purrburger).
What branch of military are you affiliated with?
I am an Army wife, married to my wonderful husband and Army captain, Mac. I am also an Air Force brat. If we want to do down the rabbit hole, I am a third-generation military dependent. My dad’s dad was in the Army in WWII and commissioned in the Air Force after it was founded. My mom’s dad was in the Navy during and right after WWII. My father-in-law was a career Navy officer, and my brother-in-law is also an Army officer.
What is one thing you enjoy about the military lifestyle?
I love the chance to move to new places and meet new people. Though in a funny twist of military life, I’m living in Colorado for the second time. I managed to visit over 30 states by the time I was 20, I have a major case of wanderlust, and I am constantly scoping out potential vacation spots and weekend trips. Mac, as the main breadwinner, is less enthused about my weekly ideas. Shockingly, he doesn’t love the thought of sitting in a car for 6+ hours each way to go somewhere, paying for a hotel room, then going hiking and exploring for days on end.
What advice would you give other spouses who are new?
Get involved, make friends, and avoid drama as much as possible. Whether you like it or not, your spouse will probably spend a decent amount of time at work, away for training, or deployed. Mac has been in his unit less than three months and has already spent a month in the field. Being by yourself in a new town can be challenging and depressing. So FRGs, coffee groups, the post / base spouses’ club, or even meetup.com groups. Find some friends! Get a job or find a place to volunteer. You will be happier for it. And seriously avoid unnecessary drama. I don’t know why, but lots of women love creating drama. In this lifestyle, drama will inevitably find you. Don’t seek it out, and try to diffuse it whenever possible.
Thank you for linking up! I 100% agree to avoiding the drama, it helps so much! Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! 🙂
I love meeting new people as well! I feel like whatever duty station you end up at, there is always a familiar face in this small military world!
Making friends always makes a HUGE difference. Happy MSA day!!!
Avoid drama- that is such good advice! It really is true that drama sneaks up more often than it should, and diffusing or not engaging is the best thing you can do. Love that piece of advice!
I totally agree, making friends is so important! It helps on so many aspects 🙂 Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!
Yes, avoid the drama for sure. There are people who seem to thrive on it. Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!
Thanks for linking up with us!! Your military past is insane. Haha. I can’t even keep track of it. Haha. That advice is spot on though. Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!
Getting involved is such a big thing. It’s kind of intimidating at first when you’re brand new, but it’s so worth it to meet people!
Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! And 30 states before 20?? That’s a pretty impressive stat 🙂
Such good advice on all accounts!
I’m also an army wife in Colorado. I agree with the point you made on traveling: army life has given me a serious case of wanderlust! Found you through Jen’s blog 🙂
30 states by 20 is crazy!! I don’t think we’ll make it to that many, but I hope our kids have a similar experience and get to see a good portion of the country (or the world) before John retires/they go to college.
I wish I would have done a better job meeting people in Campbell. It can get really lonely if you don’t have a way to reach out. Definitely good advice!
I missed yours when I read everyone’s on jens link. Happy Military Spouse day belated.
I like your blog!
That sounds creepy….I’m a little strange tho.
Haha.