I Am Happy

What makes a good military spouse? This is like that question, "What is love?" Everyone has a different definition. If you're the spouse, you probably think one thing, while the soldier thinks another. Can you sum up the qualities of a good military spouse in a few short sentences or even a few paragraphs? Not only that, but what works in one military spouse, might not work so well in another. However, there is one quality that all good military spouses share: optimism.

We are the optimistic ones. We are the ones who believe the glass is half full, everything happens for a reason, look for the silver lining, tomorrow is another day, when life hands you lemons... The list goes on, but you get the point. While we may appear to be the least likely candidates for optimism (another deployment, another move, another training school...), we're actually very good at being optimistic.

• It's only 12-18 months. It could be longer.
• We have the internet and satalite phones now. We could be dependant on letters only.
• We move so much, but we get to travel and see the world.
• I get to meet so many interesting people that I never would have met living in the same town my whole life.
• At least I don't have to pack my own boxes.
• Jodie who? I can go months without sex because my vibrator works wonders.
• Can we say military discount?
• At least, we can retire comfortably and at a normal retirement age.

So while it may seem that optimism is very rare in our lives, in reality, we are all pros at it.

OK, so, truth. We need to be optimistic. There are certain aspects of the military life that can bring a person lower than they ever thought possible. Who wants to live their life thinking that everything will go wrong and that everything is wrong? Being a military spouse isn't easy. In fact, it takes a very strong person to live and be happy in this life of uncertainty. A military spouse has to look at every situation and be able to say, even in the hardest of time, "It could be worse. At least, there is a silver lining."

When you're significant other finally asks you to marry him, you aren't just saying yes to him. You're saying yes to the military and a life of heartbreak, heartache, and optimistic prayers and wishes. Here is the secret no one told me before I became an army wife: I am the strongest person I know. The world is not peaceful and it is full of hate and terror, but at least I am here and I am married to the best soldier there is and I am happy.