Making it through Basic

I can't believe it, a year ago today Cain was about to graduate from Basic Training. He was officially a Soldier. And I was beyond proud of all that he had done to get where he was.

Those 10 weeks did fly by, surprising enough. I had Graci and my mom keeping me busy and cheerful. 

I look back now and know I couldn't have done it without their love. The night before Family day

 (Which was the day before Graduation) was without a doubt the hardest night. You'd think the first night he was gone would have been the hardest. Nope that was the easiest! Because at that point it hadn't sunken in yet that he was gone, and would be for 10 weeks.

Lying in that hotel room with my mom and lane with me I could not have been anymore uneasy! You see he had told me the last time we were able to talk that the day before Family day they told him he would get his phone for a little bit. So I waited, and waited. But no call, which was normal to not hear from him the last 10 weeks but now I was getting nervous and just wanted to hear from him! I had hours to go until that hug... I wanted it to come faster!

I didn't sleep that night. I was trying to keep my cool the whole morning of the Family day 

but all I wanted to do was jump up and down like a kid on Christmas morning. It felt better then any Christmas morning I could remember.

We went to the building where they would be giving a small greeting to the Families and then

 let the Soldier loose. Going in to the building I for some reason decided I didn't want to go to

the front. So I stopped half way and sat down in the middle seating. To the left of us where the Soldiers. 

All of about 300 of them. So to sit and stare down each to find Cain would have be a long ordeal. 

But to my surprise my mom leaned over to me and whispered, "Is that Cain? Look back at the 

second guy in the row behind us" I did... and there he was. Cain. Looking about the same, just in uniform!

I was at peace from there on out. He was there, right there where I had sat! What are the odds right?

Once they were let go I ran to him giving him the "I've missed you hug" It was like he was never gone once we were together again. 

That day I couldn't stop staring into those brown eyes. I missed everything about him. His smile, his kind words, the way he made me laugh, his kiss. All those things just started to fall back into place. But it wasn't going to last for long. He would be leaving for AIT the day after graduation and would be there in Texas 16 more weeks!

Our families gave us that afternoon to spend alone together. We sat in the seats of my parents car and Cain told me all the stories he could remember off top his head. We laughed together, which sounds so normal but once you're away from your best friend for so long the little things like having a good laugh together is so nice. And so needed!

Graduation day was even better then Family day because he got to go off post with us and stay at the hotel for a couple hours. Before the time came for him to go back to post he had fallen asleep on my shoulder. Something he did (Still does) all the time. I didn't mind at all, I love being his shoulder to lean on at times.

That night we were all smiles again, we had a lot to be grateful for... no more letters! Even though, I loved those letters... phone calls and txts are much better way to stay in touch! So we had that to be thankful for. And the fact that he only had one more thing to finish before coming home. So just like when he left for Basic, no tears. Just smiles and a big hug saying "See you soon!" 

I am so proud of the man I am marrying. He is a great Soldier. He never quits, never gives up. He always shows his best effort. He will go far, I know he will. And his family does too. They knew it from the time he was really little that he was smart and wouldn't settle for anything. 

So next up was his AIT! Which I will share more about when that time comes! 

To Cain: You are my hero no matter your uniform or rank. You are my role model and the pack leader of our little family. I trust you with my heart and know you will guide us through life with your wisdom, love, grace and strong beliefs. I will always be your Army Strong girl :) 

Lanette

Today a year ago...

One year ago today I woke up and knew that it would be the last morning I got see and hug Cain for a little over 10 weeks. Now today, 10 weeks doesn't seem so long. But in the moment last year it seemed like those weeks would last forever!

I woke Cain up with a kiss and a big hug and said "Today's the day!" and smiled big. I made him his favorite breakfast (Gold rush) and in no time it was time to head to the Muncie Armory.

That drive was a special one. With Nova and Lane in the back we talked about how exciting this next chapter would be and said a lot of "I love you's"

The weeks leading up to that morning were surprising relaxing. I felt such a peace about what Cain was doing and knew that we would be alright through it all. Because of that peace the morning he left was very calming and I was able to truly enjoy the last hour with him. No tears and no sad words. I can honestly say I've never smiled so much from 7:00am-9:00am lol

Toni, Matt, Derrek and Cat met us there. We had about 15 minutes to spear with him which was really nice. When the time came they all said their "See ya soon's" and I walked him up to the door and with a big hug, kiss and even bigger smile we said "See you soon!" and he headed in.

Looking back on that day I wouldn't change a thing! I have no regrets. He was able to leave with peace knowing I would be okay and that he could focus on what he needed to learn. I had Nova as my battle buddy and would count down the days until we saw each other again!

I'm proud of how we handled Basic. Because I had no doubt in our relationships I was able to use the time apart wisely by focusing on myself and my goals.

Now a year has pasted and things are some what back to normal! Like this morning after I took my run I started cleaning up my room. Cain had left his socks (like always) laying where they didn't belong. I looked at him picking them up and said "Hey, try and put these away next time" Haha I walked out of the room then stopped myself. "Really, Lanette?" I thought. "Be thankful for socks to pick up" So I turned around and went over to him kissing his forehead and said "I'm happy to have you home and the socks to pick up" :) He smiled probably thinking he got off easy today :p

If picking up silly socks once in awhile (Or heck everyday with him) is all I have to complain about then I can deal with that. Because with the Army who knows when he will be gone next and I won't have any socks to pick up then. And I've been there, it's no fun!

Now, he needs to be better about cleaning up after himself, yes. But the point I am trying to make is I am thankful for every minute I have with Cain. I try to never take it for granted and to love him through those silly faults.

What's next for him with Army? Who knows! Drills every month and AT this summer sometime. But Cain will jump on any chance to further his skills as a Soldier. Therefore, I'm ready to also jump! Well, more like sit and wait patiently haha. But we are both very excited for what will come in the next couple of years. Until the Army calls school is number one! I'm so proud of the things he wants to do and the dreams he will see through.

Lanette