With rank comes...old age?

Michael's new stripe has given us a lot to think about. Of course we are thrilled and at times even look at his new patches and say "Can you believe it?!"  I think I can believe it more than he can...I know how dedicated he is, and I know how hard he has worked to get to where he is now. Would you believe in all his years (14) he has never called in sick?! No, never! 


Gabby can be the first one to tell you how dedicated he is cause she knows first hand just how many birthday's and special holidays he has missed...and even a solid year when he went to Korea.  However, we all know a price has to be paid when it comes to his job and we accept that. It just makes things like getting another stripe all the more wonderful. It's like given a reward when you weren't looking for one.


Today while Michael and I were having lunch together, I was thinking about when he first joined the Air Force as a A1C.  I remember looking at the stripes on the shirts of his superiors and thinking "man...one day that will be us."  I thought they were so old and mature, keep in mind we weren't spring chickens at that time either cause Michael joined late but still "they" seemed so much older, wiser and established.  It seemed like it would be sooooo far down the road in Michael's career that it was almost hard to imagine it. BUT, I always knew he was destined for greatness.


Never have I known anyone who loves his job more. I know lots of other military people that enjoy what they do but this man I am married too...he loves it. He gets excited just talking about it, his love for his country and those who have come before him. If anyones blood is red, white and blue it is his. He puts on his uniform with pride and honestly feels it is an honored privilege to wear it each day.


It's funny to sit back sometimes and look at how far you have come in life.  We started out so young and naive...no money in the bank we lived paycheck to paycheck. We didn't care because we knew love was all we needed. I laugh now and say boy was that dumb!  LOL Some how though it worked and we made it to where we are now. I kinda feel guilty saying "we" as Michael has been the main money maker over the years. I have had little jobs here and there and even the luxury of not working...I don't always feel as though I contribute as much as he does but I do know we are a team and money aside it took both of us to make it work.


I hope the young military couples in our life look at us now and think, "man one day that will be us, and we'll be old, mature and established just like Michael and Robin."   Just remember with rank comes old age.  LOL Enjoy the journey, we sure have and we aren't done yet...Michael will retire as Chief!  :)