He is not just my husband, he is my HERO!

Once again I spent the day with my favorite person, Cecil.  It was another weekend filled with traveling to a Rugby match, but of course, there was no doubt I would be there on the sidelines cheering on my favorite  player.  Bragg Rugby won, 55 to 7!!!  Every game I sit on the edge of my seat yelling at opponents to get their grimy hands off my husband, but I soon realize it is Cecil that has initiated the grisly and ferocious attack.  Way to go Cecil!

Cecil in the Scrum.  It's a good
picture when his tongue hangs out!

Many of you might not know that it was Cecil that inspired me to begin this crazy quest of Mrs. North Carolina.  I am one lucky gal to have such an amazing man that stands behind and supports any dream I may dream up.  Granted, over the months I have wanted to start a clothing line, a boutique called Chutes and Boots, write a children's book, go to Law School and become a teacher.  I see that I am a little all over the board, so I decided to focus on this one goal and leave it at that.....for the time being (wink, wink) and Cecil is there with me 100 percent.

This week, Cecil's Battalion suffered a blow, they lost a very young solider to an unfortunate accident.  We attended his memorial service yesterday and I was overwhelmed with emotion and heartache.  I did not know the Specialist we were honoring personally, but I do have a soldier near and dear to my heart and could empathize with this man's young wife and family.  I looked over at Cecil sitting next to me in the pew with a small tear in his eye (he will deny that) and thought how lucky I was to have such a warm, caring, sometimes opinionated and stubborn, loving and handsome husband that would be protecting me and all of us in this time of war.  He is not just my husband, he is my HERO!

Life of an Army wife is not easy.  The training, the hours, the stress, the fatigue has really taken a toll,  not on Cecil, but on me.  I am not ashamed to say that in order to really adjust to this new life, I have been seeing a counselor here on post, someone I can talk to that really understands the side of the coin that I am living.  Military Life and Family Counseling has a stigma with families and soldiers, which I wish was not the case.....they are an invaluable service that will also be here to help me get through the upcoming predeployment, deployment, redeployment and then refit.  Sometimes the emotion gets to be too much and I break down.  I am so scared to have him leave, but I also know that he will return home safely and will make sure his men will return to their families.  Cecil is a Ranger and their code is to never leave a brother behind.  He lives the anthem everyday in not just his work, but his heart.

I challenge each of you, the next time you see a soldier in uniform, just say, "thank you".  No other words need to be said as these two small words mean so much.  Not everyday is sunshine and rainbows, this is a very hard life, but with all the tears comes a lot of laughter and I am blessed to laugh with my best friend everyday.  I only wish everyone could feel how it feels to be part of the Army family and feel the sense of pride I feel everyday.

I am so proud to be Cecil's wife, I am so proud Cecil picked me and I am so proud to live this life.  I only hope I can make him as proud as he has made me.