The Beginning
Around midnight or so, we arrived at Fort Leonard Wood to screaming Drill Sergeants yelling for us to get out of the bus. "What did I get myself into" was the only thing I could think. To make matters worse, I didn't bring a freaking hair tie, I was given a rubber band and told to put my beautiful hair into a bun. That was a long day, off we went to wherever they were taking us we go. Basic training was such a motivation for me. Having people push me to be better and believe in me was something I needed to make me help me with what I will encounter in the future. I had fantastic Drill Sergeants who told me to be strong, to be the best, and give my best. They gave me the courage to come out of that place as a fierce woman.
During basic training, I met a few women who would end up being the best friends I could ever ask for, and eventually, they would become my sisters. I learned a lot about people whom I would have never met. Many of these women have gone through things that at the time, I couldn't imagine. They were so open about speaking their lives, and the horrible, sad thing they went through that brought them to join the army. I thought to myself selfishly how lucky I was to be born to a family that believed in God, and that was close to one another. I am blessed with a fantastic family, parents, siblings, and extended. I would think to myself, "these girls were so strong to go through so much and make the decision to change their lives." Not to become a product of their environment but to be better. My first duty station would be Fort Wainwright, Alaska. So, sometimes while we were in basic training, they asked us to make up a wishlist on where we would like to be stationed. My choices were Colorado, Italy, Germany, and California, never did I put Alaska. I was in shock along with 17 others who were also selected to go to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Luckily, we were all going together, and we wouldn't be going alone. Before going to the vast tundra, I went to Arizona on leave (vacation) en route. It was such a fun time being able to go hang out with my best friend, family, and old flames. I might have spent a little extra time with one specific person, but we weren't very serious. After about two weeks off, I went to a new world, a new career, and to make a new life. The first day in Alaska, all I could think about was how cold it was there in September, especially coming from Arizona. I arrived at a building where they accommodate everyone that was in processing to their new units to find all of my buddies from basic training already there. They had already met others that were in processing into Fort Wainwright from other duty stations, so they had vehicles and chauffeured us around. That night we decided to get ready, go out dancing and drinking. Well, if this night did not set the tone for what the next three years were going to be like, then I don't know what else it was. The night was fun, full of high energy, drunkenness, someone urinated their pants, we helped them shower, and we all stayed close to one another through all the chaos. It was a night to remember.
The group of people had already met someone who was helping them get around. Handsome, fit, and sweet would best describe him. He was our chauffeur at the time since none of us had vehicles yet. The next day, after all the chaos, I woke up to roses and a sweet note. Let's say this man won me over with his smile before his charm. He was such a gentleman; we hung out consistently for the next few weeks. Eventually, we all moved to the barracks where we would be living in for the next few years. The building was old, had three levels, half of the first floor was for the females, and the rest of the building was for the males — two to a room. The rooms had two twin beds, two wall lockers, two dressers, a desk, and a microwave. There was a community bathroom; all the females had to share with a few showerheads and toilets. We had no privacy, but we didn't care; we were just excited to be there.
We were still meeting people and exploring the area in the first month. My friend and I went to a bar called KJ with a guy she met living in the barracks. We didn't know anyone other we were going with, but tagging along was a lot of fun. KJs was one of a handful of bars in Fairbanks. We got there, started walking around, flirting, meeting people, dancing and drinking. There were multiple rooms in this bar, one room in the back had pool tables and darts. In that room were people who just got back from a deployment in Ira along with our tour guide. One specific individual was HOT! He was tall, dark features and sexy. The moment I saw this man, I knew I had to have him. At this time in my life, I said what I thought and did what I wanted. He was there with a girl, but that didn't stop me from getting his attention in probably a very obnoxious way. Young, young me...I walked up to them and asked, "Are you single?" obviously, he was with someone, so my question was not appreciated. I walked away and had to go back to talk to him about the next question I ended up offending them both with the words that came out of my stuck-up, twenty-one-year-old mouth. We continued with the night, went back to our rooms to pass out. The guy from the first week in Alaska was still around; we hung out a lot. I have to emphasize he was handsome and so sweet. We went out in groups, and my friend eventually began dating his friend. I was loving Alaska and loving the new environment and everything in it. I was an adult all on my own with no care in the world.
A week or two went by I was getting into a routine, learning my new military unit and having fun with the friends I had and the new people I was meeting. One day walking in the hallways, I saw the guy from the bar. He recognized me right away and started walking toward me to begin a conversation he said: "I haven't forgotten about you. I've been thinking about you." We talked for a while that day, and he ended up asking me out on a date. I probably should have said no since I was also seeing the other guy I was young and having fun, so of course, I said yes. We hung out probably once before our actual date, and he had me bring my girlfriends along with me for his friends. The day came around; he told us to dress cute and look good. Where the heck in Fairbanks, AK are we going to go all dressed up. Well, on this date, we dressed super fancy (so we thought), and when we walked outside to meet the guys. WOW! To our surprise, they rented us a limo for the night. I was shocked!NO man had ever done anything so exciting for me ever before. My girlfriends were super excited, as well. We went out, and they were spending their deployment money like it was going out of business. We went to a nice restaurant and then to an MMA event they were having at the arena in town. We might have drunk a little bit before arriving at the stadium. We went inside the fights, and we had such a good time. That was the beginning of a fantastic relationship. I ended things with the other guy after a few weeks of dating both men. They knew that I saw one another and it was a decision I made on my own. He became my boyfriend.
My boyfriend and I were living the life! We spent every day together; it was as if time was standing still. The reality was time was flying. We were spending our first Christmas together at the Chena Hot Springs. It was beautiful, fun and exciting for us. He was someone everyone wanted to be around, the life of the party. There was never a dull moment when he was around. The first thing we did at the hot springs went into the ice museum, which is pretty awesome. We drank martinis served in an ice martini glass, laid on an ice bed, and sat on an ice toilet. The Hot Springs was beautiful. The weather 20 degrees, so stepping into a natural hot tub was super cool. We were enjoying our first Christmas together. Spoiling ourselves and doing everything we could without a worry in the world. I never experienced anything like that before or felt the way I did with anybody else. I fell for this man, hard. He was going to be the love of my life. Time goes by, and I know it wasn't perfect. If anything, it was imperfect. When we would drink, we were nasty with one another. Somehow we were fascinated and so in love with each other.
The next year during the spring, he asked me to go on a drive. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. We were spontaneous all the time. Of course, I got dressed, and I said yeah, let's go. We were driving for a while. I thought we were going to end up going to a restaurant that we've been talking about for a while, but he passed it. He was going in circles, and then he kept going south. He stopped at a rock that we had talked about months before. This rock overlooks beautiful scenery in Alaska. People stop at that specific spot to sign the foundation. He told me he had brought me out there to sign the rock.I thought it was pretty awesome. It was pretty romantic, but he would always be surprising me with fun stuff to do. He told me to give him a second and enjoy the scenery while he goes to grab the marker out of the truck. I was standing there breath taken by the view. The weather was perfect; it was green everywhere, it was beautiful. I was thinking to myself how did I get so lucky to have somebody do something so amazing for me. As I think I turned around and there, he was on one knee with the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. He asked me to be his wife. It was the perfect day. I couldn't imagine that day being any more perfect than what it was. I had no idea he was planning this or even considering asking me to marry him. We never talked about it; we enjoy each other for the most part. I was in shock, and of course, I said YES with tears running down my face. He asked me to marry him, and I said YES! I was on cloud 9. I was the happiest person in the world. I was excited about our journey together; I couldn't wait to be his wife.
During basic training, I met a few women who would end up being the best friends I could ever ask for, and eventually, they would become my sisters. I learned a lot about people whom I would have never met. Many of these women have gone through things that at the time, I couldn't imagine. They were so open about speaking their lives, and the horrible, sad thing they went through that brought them to join the army. I thought to myself selfishly how lucky I was to be born to a family that believed in God, and that was close to one another. I am blessed with a fantastic family, parents, siblings, and extended. I would think to myself, "these girls were so strong to go through so much and make the decision to change their lives." Not to become a product of their environment but to be better. My first duty station would be Fort Wainwright, Alaska. So, sometimes while we were in basic training, they asked us to make up a wishlist on where we would like to be stationed. My choices were Colorado, Italy, Germany, and California, never did I put Alaska. I was in shock along with 17 others who were also selected to go to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Luckily, we were all going together, and we wouldn't be going alone. Before going to the vast tundra, I went to Arizona on leave (vacation) en route. It was such a fun time being able to go hang out with my best friend, family, and old flames. I might have spent a little extra time with one specific person, but we weren't very serious. After about two weeks off, I went to a new world, a new career, and to make a new life. The first day in Alaska, all I could think about was how cold it was there in September, especially coming from Arizona. I arrived at a building where they accommodate everyone that was in processing to their new units to find all of my buddies from basic training already there. They had already met others that were in processing into Fort Wainwright from other duty stations, so they had vehicles and chauffeured us around. That night we decided to get ready, go out dancing and drinking. Well, if this night did not set the tone for what the next three years were going to be like, then I don't know what else it was. The night was fun, full of high energy, drunkenness, someone urinated their pants, we helped them shower, and we all stayed close to one another through all the chaos. It was a night to remember.
The group of people had already met someone who was helping them get around. Handsome, fit, and sweet would best describe him. He was our chauffeur at the time since none of us had vehicles yet. The next day, after all the chaos, I woke up to roses and a sweet note. Let's say this man won me over with his smile before his charm. He was such a gentleman; we hung out consistently for the next few weeks. Eventually, we all moved to the barracks where we would be living in for the next few years. The building was old, had three levels, half of the first floor was for the females, and the rest of the building was for the males — two to a room. The rooms had two twin beds, two wall lockers, two dressers, a desk, and a microwave. There was a community bathroom; all the females had to share with a few showerheads and toilets. We had no privacy, but we didn't care; we were just excited to be there.
We were still meeting people and exploring the area in the first month. My friend and I went to a bar called KJ with a guy she met living in the barracks. We didn't know anyone other we were going with, but tagging along was a lot of fun. KJs was one of a handful of bars in Fairbanks. We got there, started walking around, flirting, meeting people, dancing and drinking. There were multiple rooms in this bar, one room in the back had pool tables and darts. In that room were people who just got back from a deployment in Ira along with our tour guide. One specific individual was HOT! He was tall, dark features and sexy. The moment I saw this man, I knew I had to have him. At this time in my life, I said what I thought and did what I wanted. He was there with a girl, but that didn't stop me from getting his attention in probably a very obnoxious way. Young, young me...I walked up to them and asked, "Are you single?" obviously, he was with someone, so my question was not appreciated. I walked away and had to go back to talk to him about the next question I ended up offending them both with the words that came out of my stuck-up, twenty-one-year-old mouth. We continued with the night, went back to our rooms to pass out. The guy from the first week in Alaska was still around; we hung out a lot. I have to emphasize he was handsome and so sweet. We went out in groups, and my friend eventually began dating his friend. I was loving Alaska and loving the new environment and everything in it. I was an adult all on my own with no care in the world.
A week or two went by I was getting into a routine, learning my new military unit and having fun with the friends I had and the new people I was meeting. One day walking in the hallways, I saw the guy from the bar. He recognized me right away and started walking toward me to begin a conversation he said: "I haven't forgotten about you. I've been thinking about you." We talked for a while that day, and he ended up asking me out on a date. I probably should have said no since I was also seeing the other guy I was young and having fun, so of course, I said yes. We hung out probably once before our actual date, and he had me bring my girlfriends along with me for his friends. The day came around; he told us to dress cute and look good. Where the heck in Fairbanks, AK are we going to go all dressed up. Well, on this date, we dressed super fancy (so we thought), and when we walked outside to meet the guys. WOW! To our surprise, they rented us a limo for the night. I was shocked!NO man had ever done anything so exciting for me ever before. My girlfriends were super excited, as well. We went out, and they were spending their deployment money like it was going out of business. We went to a nice restaurant and then to an MMA event they were having at the arena in town. We might have drunk a little bit before arriving at the stadium. We went inside the fights, and we had such a good time. That was the beginning of a fantastic relationship. I ended things with the other guy after a few weeks of dating both men. They knew that I saw one another and it was a decision I made on my own. He became my boyfriend.
My boyfriend and I were living the life! We spent every day together; it was as if time was standing still. The reality was time was flying. We were spending our first Christmas together at the Chena Hot Springs. It was beautiful, fun and exciting for us. He was someone everyone wanted to be around, the life of the party. There was never a dull moment when he was around. The first thing we did at the hot springs went into the ice museum, which is pretty awesome. We drank martinis served in an ice martini glass, laid on an ice bed, and sat on an ice toilet. The Hot Springs was beautiful. The weather 20 degrees, so stepping into a natural hot tub was super cool. We were enjoying our first Christmas together. Spoiling ourselves and doing everything we could without a worry in the world. I never experienced anything like that before or felt the way I did with anybody else. I fell for this man, hard. He was going to be the love of my life. Time goes by, and I know it wasn't perfect. If anything, it was imperfect. When we would drink, we were nasty with one another. Somehow we were fascinated and so in love with each other.
The next year during the spring, he asked me to go on a drive. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. We were spontaneous all the time. Of course, I got dressed, and I said yeah, let's go. We were driving for a while. I thought we were going to end up going to a restaurant that we've been talking about for a while, but he passed it. He was going in circles, and then he kept going south. He stopped at a rock that we had talked about months before. This rock overlooks beautiful scenery in Alaska. People stop at that specific spot to sign the foundation. He told me he had brought me out there to sign the rock.I thought it was pretty awesome. It was pretty romantic, but he would always be surprising me with fun stuff to do. He told me to give him a second and enjoy the scenery while he goes to grab the marker out of the truck. I was standing there breath taken by the view. The weather was perfect; it was green everywhere, it was beautiful. I was thinking to myself how did I get so lucky to have somebody do something so amazing for me. As I think I turned around and there, he was on one knee with the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. He asked me to be his wife. It was the perfect day. I couldn't imagine that day being any more perfect than what it was. I had no idea he was planning this or even considering asking me to marry him. We never talked about it; we enjoy each other for the most part. I was in shock, and of course, I said YES with tears running down my face. He asked me to marry him, and I said YES! I was on cloud 9. I was the happiest person in the world. I was excited about our journey together; I couldn't wait to be his wife.