Always On Our Minds

(Do you see Heidelberg?!)

I was just thinking the other night how long Germany has been in conversation between Nathan and I. While Nathan was in OTS, only a few months after we started dating, he had to put his preferences of his first assignment at one of six weather hubs--here, Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, North Carolina, and Germany. Nathan chose here since it was the closest he could get to me (in Abilene), but said that if we hadn't met, he would have put in for Germany first thing. His best friend Sean was stationed there for a while and he had visited Sean and his wife Susann a few weeks before we met and really enjoyed it. Then, before he found out where he was actually assigned, we had a conversation about what would happen if they chose to station him in Germany right out of OTS anyway. Because they are the military and are real cool like that. He wanted us to get married right when he graduated OTS if that happened so that I could go with him. That plan scared me to death. Not only had we only known each other such a short time, but I didn't feel ready for such a leap into marriage/overseas living all rolled into one. Even though I knew he was The One by then. Thankfully, that was not God's plan for us. Ever since Nathan was assigned here in our beloved Shreveport, we have dreamed of getting stationed overseas at just this time--while we are still young & childless and while Nathan is still in the military (obviously). We knew it was a long shot, but we hoped. And when the initial assignment list came out, we were so excited to see Germany on there more than once. Still a long shot, but at least it was listed! Then a few more additions came, and Germany appeared again. Nathan's dream sheet included three spots in Germany and one in California. The odds were totally for us, but still... you never know. And then came the day Nathan called to say he had been assigned. I still remember that conversation on our bed when I came home from work. Some shock but so much excitement! It still doesn't feel real that we are moving. I don't think until we hit the airport will it become reality for us, but we can see so many good things coming from this next step in our lives. Number 1: We get to travel Europe on the cheap. We are amazed! Number 2: Nathan's job schedule will drastically improve. We were talking just the other night about how we have no concept of a lot of other married couples' idea of norm - aka getting to see each other every night after work for dinner/hanging out, having every weekend off together, etc. We have become so used to seeing so little of each other and it's awful. Well, I still get emotional about it at points and have meltdowns. Just ask Nathan. But possibly only one night a week that we get to do something together... Only sleeping in the same bed together half of the year or less... Being a state apart for weeks... This is not what married people do, right? Anyways, like I said, Nathan's schedule will change how we live our life together and we can't wait for it! Germany has long been a dream for us and we are glad God saw fit to send us there. The next three years are sure to hold lots of adventure for us and we say, bring it on!