So, as me and Dad are lying in bed after we get home from Arkansas we’re both going through emails and he gets one from his unit in Bahrain. He will be going to Bahrain for 3 months. Not only is it 3 months, but it’s October 4 – December 31. We stayed up quite late discussing what this means for us and how much it's going to affect everyone. We'd just been discussing holidays on the way home. It just goes to show you that there's something to the saying:
"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."
My first thought went to you girls. Holidays are a HUGE part of our family, and we realized that they won't quite be the same this year. But, it's just 3 months; we can do this! I hope that you both know just how much you are loved, and how hard it is for us to willingly put you in positions where you might feel sad because you miss one of us. But just know that these sacrifices that we are ALL making are for a bigger purpose.
When I married your dad, I knew what being to a person in the military meant. I knew that these moments would come, and I've learned to roll with the punches. You didn't sign up for this though, and for that I DO apologize. I know that being apart from him is hard, I really do. It breaks my heart to think that he won't be here to see y'all all dressed up for Halloween (we even have the costumes picked out for this year), to help cut the turkey for Thanksgiving, put up the Christmas tree, or even to open presents. But keep in mind, that as parents, we do what we think is best with the bigger picture in mind.
I read this quote a few years ago, and it really stuck with me.
"To love a man is to support his passions; to be in love with a man is not only to back his passions, but also to admire them to the point that his hunger for them becomes your own."
Your dad is a U.S. Navy Sailor. It's something that we've all had to accept, embrace, and be proud of. The dynamic of a military family is not something that many people understand. It's having to do a lot of work on one end, and always catching up on the other. I support your dad in everything that he does, and in turn, he supports me in everything I do. My wish is that one day you find someone who supports you in all your hopes and dreams, whatever they may be.
My hope is also that when you're older you see just how much you are at the center of all of thoughts and plans. I hope that you feel as proud of us as we are of you. We promise to try and make those 3 months as easy as we can for you two. We still have a month...and we fully plan on making the most of it. We love you. We will get through this. I promise.