No one can describe the feelings you have when it comes time to send off a loved one to war.. let alone your fiance.. I can honestly say it was the hardest day of my life.
Travis and I met through mutual friends. It was a "blind" date (Travis had no idea he was going to meet anyone that day). After our friend introduced us to each other we talked for a little bit and then it finally hit him.. OH! This is the girl they both had been talking about!! Travis soon realized this was in fact a date. He then started to flirt a little more.. followed by the famous, "I'm never getting Married!" and, "Marriage is a BAD idea."
We exchanged numbers and started talking right after our first blind date. There was never a dull moment, or a boring conversation between us. I soon found out that he served in the National Guard, but wouldn't be deploying for at least 2 years down the road; so deployment at the time never even crossed my mind. Travis and I had our ups and downs.. but always found each other again. Throughout the past 2 years we have both become stronger, and have learned so much about each other. March of 2011 Travis was told he would have to leave for Iraq and serve a year tour. I knew that this day would come.. but I never knew the feelings it would bring. Travis left the first of June for Idaho where he would spend his summer training for a September deployment. The first few weeks were hard. I never realized just how much time we spend together. I kept busy by working as much as I could, and finding hobby's to do to keep my mind occupied. When Travis came we went out and spent as much time as we could together, and did as many fun activities that we could think of. About a week before we has set to deploy he took me to dinner and told me he had some "News.." That night he told me that his deployment was postponed. He would no longer have to leave! The National Guard wouldn't make his troop go out until October 2012. I sure was one HAPPY GIRL!! Travis and I hurried to find him an apartment, register for classes, and quickly put our lives back together. The happiness didn't last for long though... Not soon after Travis found out he could stay did he find out he would have to leave again, but no one was sure of exact dates. We both tried to be positive about the situation, and focus on our schooling. Before we knew it December had arrived and still no word. Little did I know December would bring the happiest day of my life so far! Cute little Travis finally must have opened his heart because here we are now, happily engaged! I laugh when I look back at how he ALWAYS made fun of people who got married. Even though he still stands by his words of Marriage being a "bad" idea, he says.. "You are worth the bad idea."
We exchanged numbers and started talking right after our first blind date. There was never a dull moment, or a boring conversation between us. I soon found out that he served in the National Guard, but wouldn't be deploying for at least 2 years down the road; so deployment at the time never even crossed my mind. Travis and I had our ups and downs.. but always found each other again. Throughout the past 2 years we have both become stronger, and have learned so much about each other. March of 2011 Travis was told he would have to leave for Iraq and serve a year tour. I knew that this day would come.. but I never knew the feelings it would bring. Travis left the first of June for Idaho where he would spend his summer training for a September deployment. The first few weeks were hard. I never realized just how much time we spend together. I kept busy by working as much as I could, and finding hobby's to do to keep my mind occupied. When Travis came we went out and spent as much time as we could together, and did as many fun activities that we could think of. About a week before we has set to deploy he took me to dinner and told me he had some "News.." That night he told me that his deployment was postponed. He would no longer have to leave! The National Guard wouldn't make his troop go out until October 2012. I sure was one HAPPY GIRL!! Travis and I hurried to find him an apartment, register for classes, and quickly put our lives back together. The happiness didn't last for long though... Not soon after Travis found out he could stay did he find out he would have to leave again, but no one was sure of exact dates. We both tried to be positive about the situation, and focus on our schooling. Before we knew it December had arrived and still no word. Little did I know December would bring the happiest day of my life so far! Cute little Travis finally must have opened his heart because here we are now, happily engaged! I laugh when I look back at how he ALWAYS made fun of people who got married. Even though he still stands by his words of Marriage being a "bad" idea, he says.. "You are worth the bad idea."
After the engagement we soon learned that Travis would be deploying on January 16th. And so.. the countdown began. Once again we went out on dates almost constantly. He wanted to make sure he did everything fun he could think of! The night before Trav left neither of us could sleep.. It hadn't hit either of us yet that tomorrow morning he would be boarding a plane, and not be back for an entire year. I had a few meltdowns before then.. but never around him. People can sit there and tell you everything will be okay, and try and comfort you. But its hard to tell yourself that when your best friend, fiance, and future husband are leaving for war..
The morning of the deployment we drove down to the army base together and talked about all the things we have planned for the wedding. (Tried to keep talking about happy things, rather than let the tears start right then). My family came down to support Travis, and so did our friends Shianne & Cole. It was SO incredible to have so much support there for Travis. I know it meant the world to him to have his FAMILY there for him.
Well.. the time finally came.. they called for all the Men & Women to board the buses waiting which would take them to the airport.. And yes.. the waterfall of tears came then. Holding onto him knowing this was it seriously SUCKED.. :(
I watched as he walked away and boarded the plane.. but knew this meant he was one day closer to coming home. I am SO thankful for the love and support my family has given the both of us. I know I will depend on them a lot this year, and they wont mind one bit!
This year I plan to learn new skills, such as COOKING! I promised Travis I would learn to be a good wifey for him while he was gone. LOL, I will be CRAFTY, and READ lots of books too! I hope to be finished with my Bachelors degree by the time he comes home too! I will take this deployment one day at a time, and know that we have so much to look forward to when he comes home!
The morning of the deployment we drove down to the army base together and talked about all the things we have planned for the wedding. (Tried to keep talking about happy things, rather than let the tears start right then). My family came down to support Travis, and so did our friends Shianne & Cole. It was SO incredible to have so much support there for Travis. I know it meant the world to him to have his FAMILY there for him.
Well.. the time finally came.. they called for all the Men & Women to board the buses waiting which would take them to the airport.. And yes.. the waterfall of tears came then. Holding onto him knowing this was it seriously SUCKED.. :(
I watched as he walked away and boarded the plane.. but knew this meant he was one day closer to coming home. I am SO thankful for the love and support my family has given the both of us. I know I will depend on them a lot this year, and they wont mind one bit!
This year I plan to learn new skills, such as COOKING! I promised Travis I would learn to be a good wifey for him while he was gone. LOL, I will be CRAFTY, and READ lots of books too! I hope to be finished with my Bachelors degree by the time he comes home too! I will take this deployment one day at a time, and know that we have so much to look forward to when he comes home!
I love you Travis Lee Taylor!
<3
