I hit my three-year mark with the US Army this past Thursday. On June 16th, 2008, I left Dallas for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to start the grand adventure of Basic Combat Training. I look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in this picture, but inside I was definitely nervous, excited, and uncertain of what lay ahead.
It turns out, these past few years have been some of my favorite. I've accomplished things I once only imagined—running a half-marathon, soloing in a packed hall, playing concerts in forty-two states, and so much more. I also picked up a house and a handsome fiancé along the way. I couldn't really imagine what I was getting myself into when I boarded that Army bus three years ago, but I'm grateful everything worked out just the way it did. Here is my new, shiny Good Conduct Medal, which is generally awarded after each three years of service.
It's easy to remember my Armyversary because it is always right around Father's Day. Celebrating with my Dad in Willis was one of the last things I did before shipping out. I couldn't be in Texas this year, but I'll be thinking about my awesome Dad a lot this weekend. I'm only slightly bitter that my other siblings are enjoying his BBQ and sucking up as usual, while I'm stuck in Maryland struggling to maintain favored-child status by sending measly cards and gifts. It's just not fair. Here's a great picture of Dad at DisneyWorld in 1985.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. You're the best. I love you!
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