With our second major move right around the corner, I've been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching. When we first got to California, Tim and I were in such a different place in our lives. We were still so dependent on our parents and family; we had only been married a year and a half and had only spent roughly eight of those months together; we were going through an emotional journey with our first baby/first real tragedy; and frankly, we weren't ready to leave home and our families and friends.
Coming out to Cali made Tim and I grow up. It was our first duty station so Tim really began to understand what it meant to be a soldier in the Army. It was our first major move away from home and we were completely alone - no family and friends around to lean on or ask for help. We were forced to take chances, mature, and become more independent.
Now, more than two and a half years later, Tim and I are so thankful for our time here in California. We are now more mature, we've learned how to rely on each other but also how to be independent, and we're parents! I'm sad to leave California and the new friends we've made here. We've established ourselves here and are comfortable here, and I can only hope and pray we feel that comfortable at Fort Belvoir.
I know everyone matures over time, but once upon a time I thought I was always right, I held grudges, I judged "books by their cover," I didn't know how to forgive and forget, and the immature list goes on... Now, I'm more comfortable in my own skin and I'm proud of myself and the person I've become. What's sad though, is some of my "friends" from back home aren't willing to accept the new, more mature me. So it seems I'm headed back to the east coast with some baggage waiting for me...
Bottom line though, as long as you are happy with the person you are, what does it matter what people think? Thinking this way doesn't make the pain go away and it doesn't make you feel less lonely, but in the end it'll make you a stronger person. I hope I pass that strength onto my children; they are my daily reminder of the person I am and the person I can be : )
