Reunited

After the separation of 13 weeks apart, being reunited with Josh after boot camp was bliss. The final days leading up to seeing him on March 3rd were anxiety-ridden for me. I had spent so much time thinking about seeing him again, and waiting anxiously for that day to come. When it finally did, I found myself feeling the butterflies and nervousness I hadn't known was building up inside. The biggest fear I had leading up to the end of boot camp was the change I expected to see in Josh. Yes, I had expected he would look differently than when I last saw him, but I was also fearful he would act differently as well. In my mind, the Marine Corps would have anted to strip him to down to nothing, and build him up as the new man they wanted him to become. For me, thinking about that was difficult. We had put in so much work on our marriage leading up to boot camp. The first two years of marriage were extremely difficult for us, and we had both noticed the changes the following year and half. I felt like we were finally beginning to understand one another and work well together as a couple. I feared boot camp would change all of that, and take us back to the beginning in many ways. 

I also had anxiety about spending so much time together in the days following boot camp. I had planned a road trip for the two of us, after the first weekend with his family down in San Diego, to the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Arizona. Since I had not known what he would be in the mood for after his rigorous training and rigid schedule, I left the details unplanned. I had brought many of his belonging from Chico- enough to be prepared for relaxation or adventure (depending on what he would prefer). I also brought several of the food items he had requested to family day (including homemade hummus, ingredients to make Greek pita sandwiches, pasta salad, and Oreo cheesecake). 

After the long drive to Souther California on March 2nd, we prepared to see Josh for the first time on Family Day (March 3rd). His Mom, Dad, sister and I went to MCRD San Diego early on that morning. After having our car inspected and showing our ID's to get onto the base, we entered into the hours of waiting until the afternoon to come to spend it with Josh. The schedule had said Family Day began at 9:00 AM, so we arrived before that time. We then endured different instructors speaking to us, both outside and inside the auditorium. We (briefly) saw Josh and his platoon jog by on their final motivational run of boot camp. Then they went back to their barracks to shower and change, while we waited even longer to actually speak to them. Over the next two hours of waiting, I found my anxiety level raising even more. I eventually had to leave the auditorium, where a long presentation on Marine Corps 101 was being held, and walk outside. My mother in law, Mary, followed me outside, and she and I were able to talk through and process some of what I was feeling. I felt excited to see Josh, of course, but nervous about what it would be like. I was afraid the 10 days of leave he had would just feel like a tease, and then he would be back at his next training. I was also feeling overwhelmed being on the Marine base, and seeing what my life as a Marine wife would look like for the next 4 years. It was a whole different world, and one that I knew nothing about. The unknown of what this new chapter would be bringing for us was a lot to take on. Mary was kind enough to pray with me right there and then- specifically praying that God would send me a sign of reassurance that we were doing His will, and that He had a greater and deeper plan for us in all of this. Neither of us knew then how quickly He would answer this prayer! 

Around 12:00, the new Marines marched in and lined up in front of all the family members present. They were officially announced as the newest Marines of the USMC, and then released to us for their on-base freedom, until they had to report back at 5:00 PM. I rushed forward to find Josh, while his family stayed back on the steps. After looking past him once, I did find him and then we walked back up to where his family was. After working our way past the crowds of people, we were able to find a picnic area where we could eat a leisurely lunch (which Josh loved, after the stress that meal times had become for him) and begin to ask some of the questions we had about boot camp life. Before we were able to get into our questioning and meal, however, Josh said he had a change of schedule to inform us about. The last I had heard from him, via his final letter, he had said he was scheduled to have the normal 10 days of boot leave and report back for school of infantry on Tuesday, March 15th. I had planned to fly out that same day to Maui to surprise my parents and be there for their 60th birthday party. I hadn't had a chance to tell Josh this, though, because he told me not to send letters the final two weeks of boot camp. So, to hear him say there was a change in his schedule made my heart drop. I figured he was saying he would have less time, and couldn't go on the trip I had planned for us, or he had more time- in which I would be in Maui already. What he did say made me realize God was ordaining this entire situation- and in a way that was much better than I could have dreamed up! He told me the school of infantry was backed up, and that he would not be reporting their for an additional two weeks. He would not be off that entire time, however, but would be working with the recruiter for the USMC- on Maui! He was scheduled to start there the exact same day I was flying over, so we were able to be on the same flight together. He would be working with the recruiter during the day, but have evenings and weekends free.  After he finished telling us this, and I told him of my existing plans to go to Maui we just sat there in amazement. There really was no other explanation for how our plans alignment so perfectly, except for being God-ordained. He had this in mind all along. 

After figuring out about our extended time together, we were able to enjoy the rest of Family Day. We had a picnic and visited with his family. They left base a while later to get him a burrito to eat for dinner later, which gave us some one-on-one time. We had to say goodbye to him for his final night in the barracks, and we returned to the house we had rented nearby. Josh's brother Jeremiah flew in that evening to surprise him by being there for the graduation. The next morning, we left early once again for MCRD. The lines to get in were even longer that day, but we did manage to find a row of seats together- with enough room for my aunt and uncle, my grandma, and a friend of the Hills from Roseville who is a Marine wife stationed at Pendleton. The graduation ceremony was well done, but too long in my opinion! I just wanted Josh to be done so we could take him home with us! We were able to exit quickly after the ceremony ended, though, and already had a meeting place set up with Josh. Jeremiah met him there, and Josh was surprised and thrilled to see him. We took some pictures there and then headed back to the house for lunch with the family and my relatives. The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and spending time with Josh's family, which was great. 

Josh and I left for our Arizona trip on Sunday, after spending Saturday night at a Bed and Breakfast at Cardiff by the Sea (a gift from my aunt and grandma). Our road trip was great- full of adventurous hikes, relaxation, good food and wine, and lots of time together. We spent two nights in Sedona at my great aunt and uncle's house, which was really relaxing. They were amazing hosts and cooked for us and directed us on where to hike. Then we spent two night inside Grand Canyon National Park. Josh had never been here and loved seeing the canyon. We went for a 17 mile hike down the canyon one of the days there. It was one of the most beautiful hikes I had ever been on. Then we drove back to Roseville (in one long day of driving) to spend the final weekend in California with his parents and sister. On March 15th, we flew to Maui and spent 12 more days there together. It was such a blessing to have extended time together, and to see all of my family over there. My sister and brother flew over too (sister from CA and brother from Washington DC). We were so blessed to have time with both sides of the family. 

Being back together was so much better than I could have imagined. We said many times that it felt like we had never been apart. All of my anxieties about Josh being changed faded once I spent time around him. We could still be just as silly together, go on crazy hikes, watch movies snuggled on the couch, and relax over a glass of wine. He was also much more open and talkative about boot camp than I had imagined him to be, and was always sharing some story or experience. I loved feeling like I was getting a glimpse into what his world looked like there. Having spent time apart made us savor and cherish the time we had together. Every day was a gift, and we realized that and tried to make the most of it. I pray we will continue to do so with the time we are given together in these next few years as well. It is a reminder to never let moments pass you by, or become too busy to enjoy one another. 

Here's a few pictures from Family Day, the first time we had seen each other in 13 weeks