2009 ~Looking Back~

What a busy year. 2009 has absolutely flown by. This year started great and is definitely going to end great as well. January through May, Mike and I finished up our junior years in college. Also during this time we found out that Mike (fiance at the time) would be deployed to Iraq in August. We quickly started planning on what we wanted to do...wait till he got back to get married or marry before he deployed. As most of you know we chose to get married 1 week before he headed off to his pre-mobilization training.

Mike and I chose to get married July 25, 2009. We had exactly three months to plan the whole wedding and I must say it went fairly smooth. The rehearsal dinner was beautiful and the wedding was of my dreams. I loved every moment of that day. After the reception, Mike and I headed on our way to Savannah, GA and then down to Palm Coast, FL the following day. We had a great time there. In Florida we went to Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Orlando Studios, and we went parasailing. We had such a fun time together, but it was definitely too short. We decided to come home a day earlier then planned because we wanted more time for Mike to be able to pack and prepare for his deployment. On August 2, 2009 I saw my new husband off to Fort Dix, NJ. That was extremely tough but I knew the time would pass quickly, and it did. 45 days later I got to see him again before they left the country for 3 short days. Then I saw him off once again, this time for a very long time.

August through December I spent working hard a school. The semester absolutely flew by and I am very thankful for that. Today marks the 104th day away from Mike after seeing him last. Those days has gone by so fast. Mike has done amazingly well through this whole deployment. I could not be more proud of him then I am right now. Without him being so strong about everything, I really don't know what I would have done. I know God has put him there for a purpose and I know God will continue to bless him with awesome opportunities and great experiences.

Mike and I have missed our first Christmas together, his 22nd birthday, and later today...New Years. It has been tough some days but overall we have managed well especially Mike. Although we are apart, I am very thankful for this opportunity. I know that through this separation, it will only make us stronger and closer together.

So that is our very quick year in review for 2009. God has blessed us richly and I cannot to see what 2010 holds for the both of us. Some things that will be coming up next year to look forward to are: Mike's R&R in March, my NSTP training, Mike coming home from Iraq, and later me graduating from college and commissioning as a 2nd LT. Looking forward to it!

God bless,

Mike and Michelle