Thursday is my four year wedding anniversary. Because the Army takes into account all important holidays and dates in my life when making its plans, my sweetheart is leaving that day at 0-dark-thirty for a month of far away training.
Since I’m big on imaginary dramatic moments, I like to picture myself celebrating our wedding anniversary solo that evening as I sob on my couch in front of a really, really sad movie — like the first 20 minutes of “Up!” (Have you SEEN that movie? It should’ve come with a warning on the box. Pixar should not be that sad).
But in reality I know that’s a very bad idea. Why wallow when I can find something to do that will actually make me feel better? Instead of movie-crying-time, I’m planning to hang out with a group of friends and take a huge tub of Blue Bonnet ice cream as my date.
How do you celebrate your solo wedding anniversaries? Take our poll and give me your more creative, off-poll ideas below.
About Amy Bushatz
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Here's what I do…. Live the day like it is just another day on the calendar. Sorry….. We will be married 10 years this July and my husband has been away more than home. One year he was deployed and actually called me on our anniversary but we never even mentioned it to one another. How sad is that? He had been gone for so long that I just sorta lost track of the days and forgot. This year I am crossing my fingers he is home and we can do something special because it is out last year at this duty station and I want it to be memorable. If he isn't home I plan on watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. That's a good way to spend my anniversary, right? Oh and drink wine, too :).
I've only had one anniversary so far, and while he did send me beautiful flowers to celebrate, otherwise it was just another day – commute, work, commute, housework, homework, sleep. I don't have time to celebrate otherwise.
Our anniversary is treated as any other day. We have been married for 8 years and have yet to see each other on our anniversary. We have yet to be in the same state for our anniversary.
This year will be our 3 yr anniversary and last anniversary he was in school so we were able to spend it together. Each anniversary we went on an adventure from the zoo to kayaking. This year is a good chance for us celebrating it alone but the month before we are planning on going to NYC for the weekend so I'm considering that as our celebration before the crazy under ways and deployment approach us.
On our anniversary, which was June 17, I did laundry and received a phone call from my husband. It was a typical day spent apart. I am hoping for our 25th anniversary, which will be in 2 years, that we can actually go an a little vacay to celebrate. Considering how many we have spent apart, I figure we are due for something big and extravagant.
My husband has missed A LOT of important days. We're about to celebrate our 4th anniversary and he has only been home once for our anniversary. I try to treat it like a normal day, like other wives mentioned above, but I try to do something a little special for myself, like picking up a movie and ordering takeout, or going and getting a pedicure and eating LOTS of chocolate :)
Our 24th Anniversary had my husband deployed. Instead of sulking and crying (which is what I really wanted to do) I took the day off and treated myself to a day at a spa. Massage, Facial, Haircut, manicure..Fortunately the spa I chose had a special discount then so I was able to have a full day of pampering for less that $200. Call around. Maybe there is a day spa near you that gives Military Spouses a discount. I know not everyone could afford that much, so how about a mini spa? Get a mani/pedi or get your hair done. Check with a Cosmetology or Massage Therapy school and see what they may offer. Stay home with a good book or watch old movies on TV and have pizza delivered. .Do something just for yourself. You won't miss hubby any less but that doesn't mean you can't pamper yourself a bit. Then plan an anniversary celebration when you are together again. We have spent the day itself apart, a lot through the years along with birthdays and holidays, but always celebrated on another day, We decided that the date itself was not as important as being sure we celebrated the event itself even if that ended up being days and sometines months after the actual date.
Wine and "Top Gun." *nods decisively*
E4 & below should not have wifes.
Yes, that's the answer to this question.
I spent 32 yrs active duty and missed plenty! I was in Iraq on my 30th. Went on Amazon, bought her an anniversary ring, sent it to my daughter and called to check, when it arrived I had my daughter give it to her. I did not need a phone to hear the screams! She doesn't take it off. This is our only marriage for 33yrs, 2 kids multiple PCS moves, deployments, field problems. We sustained. I tried to get her canonized but not enough miricles! I got the best deal of it all!
None of the above! I treat myself to something nice and maybe go out to a nice restaurant with a friend! Retail therapy FTW!
instead of sulking and having a pity party, i invited my friends to go see a movie with me. it was awesome and we had a blast. laughter is always better than tears.
Do the Skype thing, then celebrate twice when he returns – once for the return, once for the missed special day . Why celebrate alone? You didn't get married alone….<3
I just spend the day with my kids and watch a movie… my husband is not a romantic, so only one time he sent me flowers on our anniversary. But usually, I just get a card from him and give him one in return. Our anniversary has become like the rest of our military marriage history… nothing to talk about, were saving the good stuff for when he gets out… if we make it that far, crossing my fingers now that I know how rampant infidelity has become in the Navy, and since I recently found out that girls on his ship are open for business daily. Kinda makes one think what does it matter anyway, we probably won't make it to another one.