Love vs. Hate

It's better to love than hate, right? But sometimes it's just so much easier to hate things. Hating takes no effort, you just write things off. But loving you need to put time, energy and commitment into it.

Well, like any relationship...I have a love/hate relationship with being a member of the big ol' happy military family.

Let's start with the obvious. I love that my husband has a job. I love that we have food in our bellies and a roof over our heads. I love that my husband loves his job, most of the time. I love that he is guaranteed to have that job for atleast three more years.

I love that I started this blog because of the military. I love that I have met so many amazing girls through my blog. I have amazing real life friends because of this blog. Actually, all but one of my Jacksonville friends is a blogger. Is that weird?

I love that my husband defends our country and that he is a hero in the eyes of so many people.

I love that the USMC offers classes to help me learn. My husband might be the Marine, but I love knowing what's going on. These classes are offered for a reason, don't be left in the dark!

I love (wait for it...) that we are stationed in Jacksonville. What? Yes, I said it. I love it here. If you think Jacksonville is the worst place ever....you are looking in the wrong places to find things to do. Oh, and Jacksonville is two hours from Danny's Mom, 10 hours from the rest of his family, and 13 hours from my family. Drivable...and I love that.

I love my military ID. I no longer carry around my passport for identification (I was welcomed to the country once....I was in Salem, MA!) I also love it because if you look in the right places...you can get deals and discounts.

Speaking of deals and discounts. Commissary. No tax. I don't use it...but I could. And I love that.

My husband has a job that can take him anywhere. Including places that I have nightmares about, places with guns, bombs, and people who don't like dogs. Places that people never come home from...

EAS and orders. They are good for the people who are getting them, but being left behind feels awful. I have helped two people move out, know of one friend who is going out west, and I got news today that two friends will be leaving soon-ish.

I hate jargon and acronyms. Seriously, throw some random letters together and I'm sure it means something to a Marine. The letters don't even have to match the first letter in the words they are describing. Talk about confusing! By the way, a head is on the top of my body...not exactly the place I want to pee!

I hate that we could someday be stationed on the west coast...or even out of the continental United States. Those places are far from home and plane tickets are so expensive!

I don't like that Danny's social security number is on my ID. Has the military never heard of identity theft?

Weekly haircuts.

Danny can't wear shorts without pockets, flip flops from Old Navy, and has to know the list of "unacceptable places to go in Jacksonville."


But I'll be honest, even looking at my "hate" list I can see good things in all of those. Need an example? Danny always looks nice because he's not allowed to look like a bum. Although I have seen my fair share of bum-ish Marines. I could possibly see the world because of Danny's job. And even though I have friends leaving...it's a chance to meet new people.

So ladies, even though its easy to "hate" parts of the military life, always try to find the bright side. Life is so much better when you have a smile on your face and have positive thoughts. And while it might seem tough, there are plenty of other girls who are feeling the same way.

And always remember...