Here is a post from Michelle, who is sending her husband, Dave – an Air Force JAG officer – off to Afghnaistan. You can read her blog here.

In the past 8 days, there has been a promotion, a diagnosis of developmental disorder, an ear infection, military paperwork, and Hurricane Ida, but nothing could stop this day from coming. I cannot explain how it creeps up on you. The news he was leaving was more crushing than the actual departure. He just walked onto a plane and waved to us, and it almost seemed like any other day, except he isn’t coming back for a bit over 6 months. Liam chose this moment to call him “Daddy” for the first time, and called out “No, Daddy, No, Dadddddd-eeeee!”

I was okay for the moment and my friend Chrissy spent the afternoon for me. Tonight has been rougher as Liam has asked for Dave over and over and over again. The rain from Ida is pounding my windows and I just want to snuggle with my husband. Crossing one day off the calendar and not thinking farter than tomorrow when Liam will be off school, and we’ll go to Kindermusik…..

But June, please hurry and get here. And this is most important, Dave, please stay safe!