Bad blogger, I know. But I finally have some time to sit down and relax and do something I'm not obligated to do. I love long weekends. I even took off Tuesday to extend my weekend. Best decision ever.
Anyway, this is perfect timing to pick up where I left off and finish blogging about our trip to the south. The reason we were in Savannah was because Matt's cousin was graduating Marine Corps bootcamp at Parris Island in South Carolina.
We're so proud of you Steve!
Being there brought back so many memories. It seems silly now that we've been separated with minimal communication while Matt was in a war zone for months at a time, but at that time, bootcamp was one of the most difficult things we'd been through relationship-wise. It was by far the longest we'd ever been separated and we'd only communicated through letters, other than three phone calls, over four months (yes, Matt got stuck there an extra month because of a paperwork issue!). Over SIX years ago, I remember driving onto Parris Island with my in-laws with the biggest, most fluttery butterflies I had ever had in my entire life. And the moment I saw him, I was so overwhelmed with love and pride I could barely do anything but cry. The uniform didn't help the situation. Isn't he the most handsome 19 year old you ever saw?
Matt is lucky enough to have a job in the Marine Corps right now where he's home year-round. His decision to join the Marine Corps and his deployments to Iraq seem like a million years ago. Sometimes I forget just how much he's sacrificed for his country, but being at Parris Island reminded me just how proud I am of him and how lucky we are to be a part of something so special.
Iraq 2007
Homecoming 2008
Iraq 2009
Homecoming 2009
So this weekend, please enjoy beach time and barbecues with your families, but don't forget our servicemembers past and present, especially those who gave the greatest sacrifice for your freedom.
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