fast forward a year and some change...2012 has become MY year. January I started a new job...and while the job itself sucked, I found so many good people there...one of which was one of my best friends, Amy. If anything, gaining Amy as a friend made the job worth it. In March, I said goodbye to the love of my life and he left me to embark on the biggest journey of his life. While Dane was becoming a U.S. infantryman, I was frantically completing my last semester of college.
In May, I graduated from university (i went to a university, not a college...not sure why I keep calling it that) in under 4 four years, debt free (thanks dad!) and with a fairly decent GPA. I remember sitting in that auditorium, hoping Dane would bust through the doors to see me walk across the stage...but he was doing amazing things, too.
June brought a month of waiting. Dane graduated from the military at the end of the month, which meant the weeks prior were spent with me on pins and needles, waiting to see what the Army had done to the man I loved. Luckily for myself and my blood pressure, the day finally came- along with tears, and I saw a changed man, but he was still my man. to see that he had grown up, become strong and confident- it seriously brings me to tears now. if i could love him more than I did, I did then. to see him happy, there's nothing I wouldn't give. And to see our relationship become more rock solid through the time apart, well that was amazing too.
July was another month of agonizing waiting. due to the army being completely lovely (sarcasm), Dane had to wait longer than most to hear where he would be stationed. Out of the blue, he called me on a Thursday afternoon:
"So...how do you feel about Europe?"
"...what?"
"How do you feel about me coming home in two weeks?"
".......what?"
"How do you feel about getting married when I get home?"
"FWHJERSHGJF YESSSSSSSS!"
So began the craziest wedding planning/put together I believe has existed. In a little less than two weeks, arrangements were made, food was catered and a wedding dress was bought. i picked Dane up at the airport, trying to run in sandals (bad idea...) to get to Dane, decked out in his ACUS. we spent a few awesome days together until the big day came.
On August 1st, with shaking hands and a heart swollen with love for not only my husband, but for the amazing family I had- and was gaining, I married Dane. The whole day went by as a blur, but I have never seen Dane smile like he did when he was reciting vows, or just looking at me and everyone that day. One of my favorite memories was later, after I kicked off my heels. I started jumping on the bed in the hotel screaming "We're married!!!!" I even got Dane to do it with me ;) Life should be about amazing moments like that.
Five days later, Dane left for Germany. I have only spent 5 days with my husband as his wife. Weird, I guess. Then after that came all the fun stuff- paperwork, medical paperwork, fighting with medical people regarding medical paperwork. I want to say all that stuff was super easy, but I'm not kidding anyone and it sucks hardcore.
But now we are farther along in the process: Command Sponsorship should be approved for me within the week, meaning I can finally call the movers and book a flight. Dane will be able to go househunting, and then pick me up at the airport...where we will finally be reunited after two months apart. Plus, we get to enjoy a 10 day leave Dane will be granted once I get there!
So I guess blog will serve it's purpose to keep everyone stateside updated about our lives across the pond. I hardly think Dane will ever update this himself, but maybe...sillier things have happened. I'll be sure to include some history and pictures every so often, too. :)
with that,
auf wiedersehen!
