Today, I so thankful for my family, friends, and everyone who serves in our armed forces. Of course, I am thinking especially about Nick and how hard he has worked over the past 11 years — all of the sacrifices he has made, all of the holidays he has missed, and all of the deployments that he has endured. I am so proud to be married to this man who has given so much. I am so thankful that Nick is here with me today, and that we get to spend the day doing whatever we want together.

There are so many pictures that I love of Nick in his uniform, on his deployments, and of his homecomings. But today I will just post this one. It was taken on May 3, 2008  –  the day Nick was commissioned and promised 5 more years of his life to the military. 6 years later, I look at this picture and think about how little I knew about military life – from all of the crazy acronyms (which I still can’t get straight) to just how hard it would be. See those shoulder boards on his shoulders? A special part of the commissioning ceremony involves loved ones pinning those onto the newly commissioned officer, and Nick asked me and his mom to each pin one. As further proof of just how clueless I was — I even pinned that upside down. Luckily, his friend saw it, and Nick fixed it before this picture was taken.

At the time, 5 years seemed like forever, but I knew I was ready for whatever life would throw our way. And if I could go back to that day knowing all that I know now, I would do it all over again. And I know Nick would, too.

Today I am so thankful that Nick is on shore duty, and that we have so much time to spend together. I am especially thankful to those who are deployed today, who aren’t off from work with their families for Veterans Day. Thank you for your service and your sacrifices.

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