Kendall's Military Homecoming.

So I'm finally going to sit down and write about Kendall's homecoming, because it hasn't already been 3 months..

Kendall finally came home in October of 2013! The week leading up to his homecoming we weren't even positive if he would be able to come home at the same time as the rest of his unit. Thankfully he did.
That morning I literally was more nervous than I was the day we got married. Yes it was serious. I felt like I was going to vomit any minute. I had literally spent the entire week trying to make sure the apartment was spotless for his return. The drive there alone felt like years and I won't say whether or not I cried when I got his first call saying he was back on American soil...
The whole nine months was difficult. I had to exist and know that I had half of my heart miles and miles away. Distance isn't easy-and I'm sorry but if you live within an hour or two of your boyfriend then your "distance" is minimal. Not saying it probably isn't a pain, just talk to me when your SO is halfway around the world and you barely talk to them.We went through a lot and grew up a lot. We learned a lot about each other and what makes both of us click. Our faults and our own insecurities were blinding. Somehow, we made it through and that's what truly matters.
I made a sign- a homecoming sign. If I would have drove myself I would have wrote on my car- because I was that excited. I ended up having an AMAZING photographer donate her time and services for our homecoming - Sharon Norman Photography (all pictures were taken by her.) And I'm really glad that I had a photographer there.

I'm getting offtrack...

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

When we finally got there the buses for the unit were still about 30-40 minutes away and it was raining- not very hard but it was raining. So we waited around, our nerves doubling and tripling. His mom, dad, and brother were there. My dad, stepmom, brother, sister, aunt, and cousin all ended up making the trip as well. So we waited. FINALLY buses were pulling in and I put myself on a bench so he would see my sign better.

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

 I was slightly teary watching the buses pull up. It literally didn't even feel like I was in my own body, and for a split second those nine months faded and it felt like he had just left and was already returning. I saw a sea of green and brown uniforms pouring from the buses, I was waiting for my own soldier to emerge. I waited what seemed like at least 20 minutes and finally my cousin screams out KENDALL! I saw him and ran, threw that sign like a frisbee and jumped into his arms. I couldn't even cry because I was so happy. I held his embrace for how long I needed to realize he was actually there then I let go and watched him hug and kiss everyone else. All the while trying to put into my mind that he really was home and wasn't leaving. I would go to bed with him that night and wake up the next day with him there. It started raining harder and we went into the school for the ceremony portion. The rest of the day flew by, we left hand in hand, had chipotle, then he came home.

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C)Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

(C) Sharon Norman Photography

 Amazing, the best day of my life.

Deployment

Today I said goodbye to my best friend, or "see ya later". Actually we didn't say either of those things. I have been putting off even thinking about this deployment for so long that when I woke up today I felt like it was a regular day. When I arrived at the venue where the Call to Duty Ceremony was held I realized this was not a regular day. While waiting for my family I started to do something thinking and I realized after today I wouldn't see Kendall for a long time. I was in and out of bouts of crying when my family met up with me. We walked into the building and I felt like everything was pretty much a blur. I didn't try to look anyone in the eye, I just wanted to get to my seat.

 The ceremony was alright. I calmed down quite a bit. After the ceremony I was approached by some local journalists who had snapped a picture of me and my little brother.

Then Kendall came back in for some last minute family time. I let everyone else have him before I latched on to him for dear life.

I was blubbering like a baby...

He didn't cry though. He assured me that he would come home and that he loves me with all of his heart. I nodded and sobbed and told him I love him too. It seemed like I had all of two minutes with him before he had to leave for formation and shortly after climb onto a bus.

My family asked me if I wanted to walk toward the buses to see him off, I replied "no". I was a mess and didn't want him to see me that way, after some prodding I reluctantly agreed. As soon as I saw him I could tell he had been crying and my knees buckled. I fell forward onto my knees and cried harder. I felt like screaming. I was physically feeling pain that could only be attributed to the fact that I did not want him to leave. It's a scary feeling. I felt a great pit in my stomach. The buses drove away and my crying eventually subsided. I still feel tears welling up, I'm hoping this goes away soon.

So now it's 11:55, he has called me to tell me that he has made it to his barracks and that he loves and misses me already. My eyes hurt from the sting of so many tears and my heart is heavy. Though I am strong I am feeling very weak. I'm embarrassed that I could not be strong for him and for how I cried. I'll see him for Christmas and after that it's a long nine months until he is home from deployment. Friends, hold your loved ones close, it is truly a terrible feeling when they have to leave you.

Reliving the Engagement

Kendall and I had wanted to get some photos done before I left for school and before deployment. So I made an appointment for the weekend before I left for school.

And much to my surprise...He got down on one knee at the end of the shoot. I was so shocked. All I could do was nod my head extremely fast.

Look how completely happy we are in that last photo! Ahh! I love him.

Kendall

&&& This is my AMAZING fiancé!
 Kendall and I went to high school together. We went on one date my freshman year. Kendall was a junior at the time. We had gone to the Zoo Lights in Columbus. We kind of just drifted apart. Then one day my senior year I saw him running and texted him. We eventually went on a second-first date and I knew after about a week that I wanted him. I wanted to be with him. 
We dated for around 3 1/2 months before he proposed. I know that is like... wow. But we are so happy & I am so glad he is the one who I will spend my life with.

He is in the army and is deploying this month, I try to keep a brave face and pretend I'm ready..truthfully I don't know.