Day 291: Support

I know I have written about this time and again, but I can't tell you enough how much the support of people around you really matters in a deployment. It is the difference between success and just surviving a deployment. Having support from your friends and family is the single most helpful thing you can get from anyone during a deployment. I have had the amazing blessing of a having some awesome friends in my life around here that have been my support system, the type that you really need in close proximity. Then, I have my best friend ever living just 3 hours away from me, which is still close enough to offer any support needed. Lastly, I have the support of people who live all around the country/world. I have so many friends that call me or write me to check on me and to see how the kids are. I have so many prayer warriors who are always in prayer for my husband, my kids, and me. I also have an amazing family. My family support my husband 110% and are almost as proud of him as I am. They are almost as happy that he is coming home soon as I am. They wait with me. They are counting the days down with me. They are planning his homecoming with me. They are here for me, even if they are thousands of miles away.

My oldest brother is someone that I have always looked up to. He was my hero growing up and when he joined the Coast Guard around the time I was about 12, he became a bigger hero in my eyes. I didn't have anyone that I knew in the military. He was a first from my immediate family, and I was a proud little American. I have always been proud to have a Coastie brother. Well, he called me today to see how I was doing and to schedule his trip across country with a stop to visit us here after Ian gets home. It surprised me, yet it didn't, by how excited he was to see Ian again. He is excited to see the kids and me too, but talked numerous times about how he couldn't wait until Ian was home again. He also told me many times that he is proud of his little brother (in-law, but he never adds that part as he truly thinks of him as part of our family) and thinks he is awesome for the things he does. This is from someone who is serving in another branch of the military and has been in longer than Ian. The respect for my husband was awe inspiring and it was quite the compliment to my husband. My oldest brother is not a rarity in my family. As a matter of fact every one of my family members have stated something close to that, if not exactly the same. My siblings, parents, grandparents, and even some cousins have told me (and Ian) that they are proud of him and can't wait until he is home so they can thank him themselves. I always joke that if they are excited about him coming home, can they guess how excited I am. They all laugh and say they can only imagine.

I can't wait until Ian is home. I can't wait until he is in my arms again and we are living as a family should live, under one roof again. I also can't wait because I know that my family will welcome him home like he deserves, like a man who has gone to war and come home.... A true hero.