Since the last time I updated, I was still dealing with Derrick being away at BCT in Fort Leonard wood, Missouri. It's been a little over 2 months and so much has taken place that I decided an update is very much needed!
July 19th, we left around 4:30 in the morning for what turned out to be the longest car ride of my life! The whole not getting any sleep, 12 hours of uncomfortable sitting and seeing nothing but corn fields didn't really bother me. I knew that at the end of that boring ride, I would see the love of my life for the first time in 2 & 1/2 months! That same day we arrived around 5 in the afternoon. We got checked into our hotel and decided to ride around and check out the base. We wanted to get ahead and find out where Derrick's graduation was going to take place!
I have to admit, I was very shocked at how nice everything was when we arrived. I was still in my anxious-impatient-nerve wrecking stage, but at the same time I was so excited for the next day to arrive!
That Wednesday, July 20th, I woke up at 6:30 am and started getting ready for one of the most exciting days of my life. I can't express in words how much I missed seeing Derrick, and at that time, I knew in only 3 short hours I would be able to wrap my arms around him again. The time came around, and the minute he hugged me, I cried like a baby. Of course one of the first things I wanted to do was take a picture to show all of my friends and family back home.
Derrick was able to leave post and we got to spend the whole day together. He was so excited to be able to leave and eat real food, and of course he chose Taco Hell! It did upset his stomach, which we all warned him in advance, but that didn't stop him. We decided to go back to the hotel and we spent part of the day at the pool swimming and just hanging out. It was an amazing day, but it went by so quickly!
July 21, he became a United States Soldier! The day we have all been waiting for finally came around, and I can't even explain how proud I am of the man he has become. I watched him walk across that stage, respresent where he was from, and it put the BIGGEST smile on my face!
[In the picture is Kallahan, the one person he became closest with while at basic. It just so happens they were standing right beside each other during the ceremony!]
Another day that went by extremely fast turned into a very emotional one. Once again, I had to say goodbye to my best friend. Derrick is currently in Fort Rucker, Alabama for his AIT school which is a total of 8 weeks. He is scheduled to finish in mid-September, following his graduation and his 10-day leave to come home! As of last night, he received his orders and his duty station will be at Fort Bragg, North Carolina! I'm very excited for everything coming up in the future! Only time will tell how things turn out, but so far it's looking good.
I'll update again soon!
