military spouse musings

military spouse blog

I mentioned a few weeks ago that, as a family, we made the decision not to extend our time here in South Korea, and the strangest thing happened. It was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. In my eight years as a military spouse (and my 10 total years of being with Ryan), I’ve prided myself in my adventurous spirit. I thrive on change. My biggest fear has always been the idea of being ordinary, growing old in the same town I grew up in, and not having adventures. Korea has been our biggest adventure as a family yet, without fail.

That being said, it’s also been one of the most intense challenges we’ve faced as a family, as well. Immersing ourselves in a new culture during a global pandemic wasn’t easy, and it has continued to present ongoing challenges. Yet, we’ve done it. We’ve enjoyed uninterrupted family time – the likes of which we haven’t had for years – and the kids have thrived.

military spouse blog

military spouse blog

Somewhere along the way though, there was a sort of switch in my identity as a military spouse. This adventure, these unique challenges of living OCONUS have been a wild ride, but somewhere along the way, the adventure became a little all-consuming. It became a little less of an adventure and more of a burden. We knew that our time in Korea, like every other duty station, is fleeting, and we began to treat it like a long adventure, rather than our home for the time being…and that’s hard.

I felt like we constantly had to go, go, go, go, go, or we were squandering this opportunity. And, somewhere along that path, a new little seed was planted in me in which I actually craved a home. A place that was more permanent. Something less fleeting and more real.

As a new military spouse years ago, duty stations felt like prizes (or curses, depending on where you were stationed). It was almost like a competition, constantly comparing assignments while the “lucky” ones got Hawaii and the “unlucky” ones got Louisiana or Alabama.

military spouse blog

military spouse blog

Honestly, through the years, I’ve found that home is what – and where – you make it. I’ve always said that a duty station is what you make of it, and I truly believe the same goes for your adventurous spirit. Adventure can be found everywhere. It’s a spirit that lives in you. It’s our choice to adventure beyond these four walls that we call home, and it should never, ever feel like a burden.

I don’t know what the Army has in store for us next. I know what we’re praying for, and even am surprised by what we’re hoping for, but it feels right. It feels real. Because somewhere along the way during this journey as a military family, adventure became something tangible and real and attainable, and now we just need a home to make those adventures all the more sweet.

Follow