You Know You're a Military Spouse When...

My mom and dad called me a few days ago out of the blue to see if I like hard or soft mattresses. To anyone else, that question probably seems strange, especially when you haven't lived at home for three years, you're married, oh, and you live in another country.

But it made perfect sense to me. I've had the same mattress at (my parent's) home since the beginning of high school. It's at least a decade old, if not more. It was great when I grew up there and went to school, and it was even fine during college when I was home for random weekends and the holidays. When I moved back home after college I managed to tolerate the bed, but I sometimes preferred sleeping on the couch in order to avoid the springs poking me as I slept. Then I got married and moved my stuff (minus the bed) to another state.

I usually go back home when my husband is away for long periods of time (i.e. deployments) and I sleep in my childhood room and on the same bed since high school. That bed has definitely seen better days. So when my parents said they bought a new mattress, it was a really big deal!

Going back home without your husband isn't something most people experience, but it's pretty normal in the military community, especially during deployments or long TDYs. I'm thankful I get along and actually prefer staying with my parents when I'm home without my husband. And now I'm really looking forward to that first night's sleep at home on my new mattress!

You know you're a military wife when your parents buy you a new mattress for your old bed at their house, because they know you'll go home during the deployment and need a comfy place to sleep.

• When you make a great friend, and then it never fails one of you moves halfway around the country or world! (Anonymous)


• When you finally get into a routine and adjust to a new schedule, then your husband changes shifts or you move to a new time zone, and you have to start all over again! (Anonymous)


• When you get to see your husband about 2 months out of the year. I could go on but those stand out the most to me. (Anonymous)


• When you get excited for the case lot sale on base. (Anonymous)


• When having your husband home on your birthday is "strange" and a reason to "do it big" because he might not be here next year. (Anonymous)


• When you find yourself Googling random Air Force bases because "Hey…you never know…we might be stationed there one day". (Anonymous)


• When the longer you wait to wait to decorate the house, the more you tell yourself it is not worth it because it won't last anyway. (Emily)


• When you secretly like being able to redecorate a new place every few years!! (Emily)


• When you're searching for (American) change and all you can find is dirham and Euros! (Sespi)


• When your husband is air-drying his jump boots on the windowsill haha :) (Jen)


• When you correct TV shows because they're "doing it wrong" (e.g. I was watching Army Wives and the one woman started saluting as soon as Retreat started which, ya know, you don't salute until the National Anthem) (Katie)


• You're planning a long drive and note the nearby military bases to stay at while simultaneously racking your brain for old friend who are/were stationed there. (Sierra)