It took 3 bus loads to transport all the family members up to the gunnery over the weekend.

The facility is used whenever any unit – Eric’s or otherwise – needs to go to the field to practice blowing stuff up.

As I hopped off the bus I scanned the area – looking once again for the only little green man that mattered….my great-big little green man.

I couldn’t help it – I was anxious to see him.

Saturday happened to be the 6th anniversary of the day we first met. So I thought it was kinda apropo to be meeting again…even if it had only been a week since he left.

But I wasn’t naive. I knew he would be busy.

We were showing up in the middle of a work day at gunnery.

(Something that would never happen back in the states.)

I knew they were runnin’ him ragged – working gunnery hours, doing double-duty & short-handed on NCO’s to help corral the privates.

So I knew to brace myself for the fact that I might not get to see him at all if something major was going on.

It’s just a fact of Army life.

And when I entered the chow hall, I texted Eric to let him know I had arrived.

So I sat & waited…and watched & waited…as soldier after soldier walked through the door to meet up with family members.

And after a little while it seemed like everyone had been matched up with their hubbies…oops spouses…

(because there were also husbands* waiting for their wives, too)

…except me.

[*It's a real rarity to see a civilian husband with a military wife.
It's more common to see two active duty members married to one another.]

I watched the kids run up to their daddies…the wives kiss & hug their husbands.

And I waited some more.

So here is where I get to confess a truly ridiculous & purely emotional response.

I cried.

Yep – moved my butt to the back of the chow hall & cried…trying desperately not to be noticed by the USO photographers going around snapping up “Kodak moments”.

Of course what pushed me over was the fact that a Warrant Officer’s wife had noticed me sitting there alone & decided to ask me where my husband was.

Here’s a tip:Never ask a military wife where her husband is. I don’t care if it’s at gunnery, on base or out & about in the civilian world – just don’t do it, please. It’s a reminder – a sometimes painful, sometimes embarrassing reminder that we’re alone. And I couldn’t believe I was being asked that question by another military wife. Someone who should’ve known better.

I think I sat there for about 20 – 30 minutes before I finally saw him walk through the door.

And I let out a big sigh…and one last tear.