Since I started blogging, I've sort of taken this vow to share aspects of my life with you. As I've said before, this military lifestyle is ever-changing, and these past few months have been no exception. While Flyboy was in Oklahoma for training in January, we started to get a glimpse of what might be in our future. There were talks of our next assignment (insert bumbumbum here). Say what?! Didn't we just move to Hawaii? We hit our two-year mark in February, so the idea of moving again was a little hard to digest. I remember getting a phone call from FB one Saturday morning before work and he asked, "How would you feel about going back to Del Rio?" I laughed nervously, but I was on board. I mean, do you ever really have much of a choice? I put on a very can-do Team Fine front, but I immediately called my mom to talk it out. The first few minutes consisted of more nervous laughter and when I started to talk about specifics, the waterworks ensued. I had such mixed feelings. Of course we'd make the most out of any assignment, but Del Rio... again?! It's five miles from the border of Mexico and about 2.5 hours from any form of civilization. In fact, many people refer to it as Hell Rio because it's hotter than Hades. Of course, I tried to put a more positive spin on it —Swell Rio— but that's when I knew there was some sort of end in sight. To return again?
That same day, I must have seen a handful of Texas license plates en route to work. We're in Hawaii. That just doesn't happen very often, even with all of the military bases on island. At one point, I started the Jetta and "God Bless Texas" was playing on the local country radio station. Are you kidding me? It may sound like I'm embellishing, but the signs were all there. It was time to get on board and start prepping for what was ahead, or so I thought...
Over the course of the next three weeks, the prospects of Texas as our next assignment changed off and on, which didn't really help an emotional yo-yo like myself. When you're Type-A, you like to have some sort of control. In this case, you plan to not plan. It's a constant battle for me, but I like to think I'm getting better. At one point, FB and I completely got rid of the notion of Texas being in our future again, but then I got a call—it was all systems go. We'd return to Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas, where FB will be an instructor. Dates are pending, but it's happening.
There's a certain sense of relief that you feel when you find out where you're headed next, but it's really quite bittersweet. You have to work to create this balance between enjoying life in the present and planning for what's in store. I feel like we just got settled in Hawaii and we're in a groove. Lil' Puna has its quirks, but it finally feels like home. For Rain Man over here, I finally feel like I have a routine. I love my job; I feel nested. I think anyone in the military will tell you these feelings are normal. That two-year mark is when things really start to click, and then it's suddenly time to consider the next move. It's a vicious cycle, but it's part of the adventure. There are still so many unknowns, but I like to focus on all the positive things that will come with this next assignment.
To a lot of people, Hawaii might seem like some sort of paradise. Yes, it's gorgeous, and I'll miss the beaches and the view from Lil' Puna, but I know I'll be seeing a lot more of Flyboy and that makes me one happy gal! This first assignment has had its challenges. We've both had to adjust to FB's crazy schedule. We've learned how to live as a couple and function independently. We proved we can do this with flying colors, even though it's not always easy. Truthfully, this might be a nice change of pace. I like to think of it as another unexpected blessing.
For now, I promise to carpe the heck outta my Hawaii diem. I'm going to enjoy each and every one of my trips to the beach. Oh, and let's not forget about regular outings to Target, Starbucks, and J.Crew! Once we're in Swell Rio, those will all be things of the past, or a special day/weekend trek to San Antonio. I know I can learn to live without all of that, which inevitably means that we'll need to invest in a Keurig, and I'll be on a first-name basis with my UPS man again. I'm okay with that. My Instagram photos of our front yard in Texas probably won't be as snazzy as our current view. In fact, weekends will most likely consist of happening trips to the H-E-B and True Value. I'm okay with that, too. Maybe we'll start a family? Perhaps we'll just get another Bernese Mountain Dog? I'm okay with either of these options, maybe even both. It's fun to think about what lies ahead, but I'm going to try not to get too wrapped up into it. I'm going to be HERE now and delight in the fact that Team Fine is in this adventure together. I still firmly believe that faith and a sense of humor will get us through anything. I can't wait to share the nuances of Swell Rio with you. I think you'll learn to fall in love with this little border town, just as we did about 4.5 years ago.
Image Credits via Rocket Ink and Oliver Jeffers
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