5 Years and Counting

Mr. Man has been officially serving his country for 5 years. 5 years today he left me in the small town of Louisiana where we grew up together, shared tons of memories, and became high school sweethearts. I was about to be a Senior in high school, but I still devoted my love to my soon-to-be Airman. 

I remember 5 years ago to this day like it was yesterday. I threw him a huge going away party decorated in red, white, and blue and military/Air Force symbols. I went all out. I love planning parties and I love to decorate. The kegs were ordered, the huge billboard read "Good Luck in the USAF Mr. Man! We will miss you!", my Mom hired a cop to sit out at the place where the party was being held because there was going to be underage drinking, but we wanted to stop the fights, the driving, and the other careless things. We hired a DJ and a caterer. It was a fabulous party. I definitely made myself proud.

Family and close friends came early to eat and sit around as ordinary people, play games, the kids ran around. We did this to separate the "party-goers" from the family reunion. Both families were there, mine and his. Majority of everyone made it. It was a hit.

The night continued. Mr. Man and I went to our own houses and changed for the party while the "party-goers" started showing up. When we finally arrived back at the party, the building was packed, the parking lot was crammed, and there were many people outside the front doors because it was so packed. I completely flipped. I did not realize it was going to be such a hit. There were select people that were not invited because of their past status with us, that did try and come, but the cop stepped in and escorted them out. This was one of the most amazing, fascinating, thrilling nights of our lives. 

I had just turned 17 years old 2 days before, and Mr. Man had been 18 for less than a month. We sipped on some alcohol, danced the night away, and stayed out until about 3am. It was a great night. Through the night, Mr. Man started throwing up. I never really understood why because I did not remember him drinking a whole lot. I just thought maybe the heat from the building and all the people, the fattening food, and the alcohol all combined got to him. I was wrong. It was his nerves. 

At the end of this night, they played "I'm Proud to be an American." Everyone gathered around to tell Mr. Man goodbye and wish all the best when Mr. Man grabbed me and started dancing with me. I had no idea what was going on, but I went with it. We danced with our foreheads together looking into each others eyes, crying, and talking. I remember everyone in the background "ewww'ing" and "ahhhh'ing". I remember one of my best friends saying, "What is going on? I must have missed something." I remember giggling and the next thing I knew people started freaking out. Like being, "OMG, OMG!" And telling everyone to look at us. Next thing I know there's a huge circle around us. Not that I was watching that because I was way too caught up in the moment, but I remember it happening like that. 

Within seconds, Mr. Man pulls out a promise rings, shows me, and tells me, "I'm coming back for you. I promise!" I was an emotional wreck. It completely caught me off guard, and it was so perfect. I kissed him, told him Thank you, and we left as everyone else was also clearing out. We spent most of the night together discussing his plans and the Air Force. 

The next morning he left.

My Mawmaw and Mom came with me to send him off. I cried all the way home and then sucked it up quick. I cried all  the time, at work, at school, at ball games, at practices, everywhere, even though I never showed it to him. I knew I had to be strong for him and our family's. I knew I had to finish school, and I new I had my own future to protect. He wrote back and forth and he called twice a week. I was very lucky on that part. We survived. Something I truly never fully intended to happen. I thought we would be high school flings and go our separate ways, but it was fate. It was God. God had plans, and there was nothing we could do to fight it away.

I can not believe it has been 5 years. It seems like it was just yesterday. Sometimes I am still stuck in the mindset of that 17 year old. The feelings of falling in love and everything just happening so perfectly. Something I am so grateful for. Something that has made me who I am today. Something I could not at all imagine my life with out. 

--Now I am in tears just thinking about to this, thinking about to one of the most perfect moments in our lives. The first moment that really slammed me in face as a military significant other.

::Sigh::

5 years ago today, my high school sweetheart left for the United States Air Force! 

And now it's time for re-enlistments!! 

 Hosted by: Southern Reflections.