Deployment #2....Long Story

Ok well deployment #2 is underway. He left recently and it was so difficult. He left his car with me and I drove him down to Pendleton. We had a nice talk on the drive about vacations and Vegas and different places we had been. I teared up a few times. We got down there around 2330 and he finished packing his stuff which took about an hour. He didn't have to report until 0230 so I was like "what are we going to do now for two hours?" He goes "SLEEP!" So we layed down...and didn't sleep... (I lie, we did sleep for about 30 minutes ) I drove a bunch of his stuff over to the area where they were gathering and of course my Mr. Joe Marine was the first one there. He brought over some more stuff and we just stood and talked until more Marines started arriving and he was directing them what to do. The FRO opened up a rec room and there were chairs and snacks and drinks. He kept having to talk to his Marines and organize things, and talk to his superiors.

I was able to walk with him to the armory (I couldn't go in of course) where he picked up his weapons. I just sat inside and drank coffee while he was running around. He introduced me to a few of his bosses and some of his Marines which was really nice. Time kept ticking by and 3 Marines were late which delayed things. Finally about 0530 they stood in formation and he checked all their weapons and other things they had to take. That took a while. The wives and girlfriends and families were standing watching and it started to rain of course. Finally around 0615 my Marine says "Ok, take 5 minutes, say your goodbyes and get on the bus." I lost it. The tears just flowed. He hugged me for a couple minutes and kept telling me he loved me. I told him to be careful and that he had to come home to me. He said that he knew and he would. Then he made sure all the Marines were on the bus and went to get on. He saw me and came back and hugged and kissed me one last time.

The bus took about 15 minutes to finally leave which was torture. It started to pour down rain. I got soaked but I didn't even notice. He was waving at me and texting me and blowing kisses. I had stopped crying as hard until the bus finally pulled away and the flood gates opened. I walked to my car and was crying so hard I almost threw up. I called my friend and couldn't even say anything. She talked to me and calmed me down a bit until I could drive. Then I drove to work and worked the entire day after being up all night. It was a tough one, but I survived and I will be better now.

I think this deployment is going to be harder because of how much closer we have become. He wants to save his combat pay to buy me a ring and he wants me to get us an apartment together for when he comes home. So exciting!

One funny story and then I'm done I promise! M bought me a teddy bear for Christmas. It has digital camo print on its paws and feet and ears and says USMC. There is a plastic pouch for a picture, but he left it blank so I could pick which one I wanted. I named him Bravo Bear. I also had a Monchichi that I slept with sometimes because it made me feel comfortable and reminded me of when I was a kid, so I named him Maxton Monchichi. The last few weeks I have been moving and dreading this deployment so Maxton and Bravo have been sleeping with me and riding in the car with me. Just recently I left my car in town and M picked me up to stay with him on base. He was moving my stuff and I said "don't forget Maxton and Bravo! They can't stay in the car all night!" He goes "um ok" and threw them in the back seat. I said "you can't just leave them like that!" He goes "ok here" and seatbelted them in the back seat. I said "Oh come on, you don't have to belt them in, I'm not CRAZY!!!" He just kind of looked at me with a look like "are you sure about that??"

I said "hey look, these are the only boys I am going to have in my bed while you're gone, that's a good thing!" It was pretty funny.

So yes, I have gone a little off the deep end, but it does help to have something to hug and hold when going to sleep. Every night I say a prayer for him and all of our troops, and for me to have strength to make it through and to be strong for him. Deployment #2 has commenced so you will probably see me on here much more. I know that this site REALLY helped me with the last deployment. I would appreciate any advice from ladies whose Marines either are currently or have been in Afghanistan because I know that it is way different than Iraq. I would appreciate your support and I will do my best not to whine about how hard deployment is. We all know that. Love you ladies.