Military Life

Rita Laymond

Jenni Anderson

Essay #1

As a military spouse, you have the opportunity to travel different places and meet all type of people. You become close to some not knowing that one day you all will be separated from each other. My husband and I have been married for seven years. We have lived in 5 different cities in the United States of America and two separate countries besides the United States of America. At the beginning of his air force career we were both excited for the change and traveling that we embarked upon; however, we did not expect the disappointment, sadness, and loneliness we would endure. We did not expect to meet people and become close to them just to have them sent away, and we had to start over with new friends. I experienced it time and time again.

My first experience was at our first duty station in Great Falls, MT. as we arrived I was so excited but as the excitement wore off I came to the realization that I had no friends. After being there about three months, I finally started filling out job applications. I received a job at the local Ross Dress For less. At work is where I began to meet friends but it was one girl that I had more in common with anyone there, and we became best friends. Her name is Kayla Fisher. We started taking lunches together, and before we knew it, we were getting together outside of work. We made shopping trips to Billings, Mt, numerous dates at the local coffee house and even carpooled to work. Over a period of 3 years, she became more than just my friend she became my family. All of that came to a halt with three simple words, "We got orders."

I received a text from Kayla late one night after her husband returned home from his work. Her husband received orders that day and in 6 short months, they will be moving to Alaska. As heartbroken as I was we heard and seen this happen numerous of time with other military spouses that worked with us. In our subconscious, we knew one day it would happen, but we didn't want to believe it would. We had no control over how this was about to affect our relationship, but we knew that no matter what we would always be a big part of each other lives.