The Final Countdown.

This week is the end of my life as a Navy wife. Five long years later, and it feels good. It feels good knowing that by the end of this week, the Navy will never force separation on my family again. It feels good knowing that we won't have to deal with the long hours, degrading pay, and Navy bullshit anymore. I couldn't be happier about this step in my life.

I am also appreciative because I know that the separations are virtually the only reason my husband doesn't want to stay in the military. He likes his job, he's good at his job, he has friends at work that he will be giving up. Dave makes an excellent sailor and the Navy has been lucky to have him. I am lucky to have a husband who's willing to make such a big personal sacrifice, just to be in my presence.

I am excited because I am in my home town, near my family. I am looking to enter a master's degree program that I am really enthusiastic about, which makes me feel amazing. I am excited to enter the workforce and to get a break from my children. I have a race coming up soon, I am excited to see how I have grown as a runner. I am excited because this change leaves me with so much to look forward to.

However, the biggest emotion that I feel is sadness. I miss Washington so much that I can't even explain it. I am so sad that I am so far away, and will now be dealing with a lifestyle separation, from some of the best friends I have ever had. I am sad that I won't get the chance to make new friendships, because I feel there are more than likely a lot of great Navy wives that I didn't meet. I am sad that we are giving up being a part of such an amazing community.

I am sad that my kids had to leave their friends and that I don't know when we will see them again. I'm sad that we are saying goodbye to the life that brought us together as a couple and the life that turned us into the parents we have become. It's a huge deal to leave the Navy life. I wish I hadn't taken so much of it for granted. The future is bright, but the past is luminous.

Respeck.