I don’t think it is possible for someone outside of the military spouse life to truly understand what it is like. I was speaking to a really good friend of mine the other day during a play date and it went something like this.
“So is your husband leaving again soon?”
“Yes, although I’m not really sure when.” I replied.
“But he should be back in a few months right?” she asked.
“Not sure, each time is different. It would be nice if he is back by the holidays, but that could change.”
“oh wow…I don’t think I could live like that! I don’t know how you do it.“
Never A Dull Moment In The Military
Whether you have been life has a way of “catching up” with you. Over the course of time, every MILSO realizes that they are officially in a new “normal”, which consists of ever constant change. Moving every couple of years you learn how to scout out the new grocery stores, hairdressers and schools. You make new friends in each duty station while keeping connected with those in your last.
Your long distance relationship has stood the test of time.
While not all of our civilian friends understand military life, there’s always a military spouse out there who can relate to the exact place you’re at in your life. Make sure to go find one, grab a drink, sit back and enjoy these telltale signs you are a MILSO.
25 Signs You are a MILSO:
The majority of your laundry consists of camouflage, green/blue shirts, and brown/black socks.
You are incredibly close friends with people you never would have known without the military.
You have enjoyed a beautiful sunset on your installation, complete with barbed wire fences and the American flag in the view.
You use a military I.D. all the time and get frustrated when places ask for a “real I.D.”
You also use that I.D. shamelessly to get any military discounts at restaurants and stores where ever you go.
You still find colorful little moving tags on various pieces of furniture even though it’s been a year since your last PCS.
You are not phased when your doctor walks in wearing ACU’s or NWUs.
You save voicemails and letters from your spouse, so you can feel his presence anytime you think of him.
Your civilian friends and family don’t understand why you can’t seem to make big plans in advance or cancel plans regularly.
Your young children think anyone in uniform is daddy or mommy.
You have your spouse’s social security number memorized, but when asked about your own…
You celebrate holidays/birthdays/anniversaries, etc based on duty and deployment schedules.
You have a few boxes of items that don’t work in your current home but “may work in the next one”.
You refer to your spouse’s friends by their last name and no one bats an eye.
You’re either underemployed or overqualified for your job.
You have found at least 10 different sets of foam earplugs in the washer or dryer in the last month.
You have at least two “daddy dolls” and several times you have stolen one from your kids.
You have a Washington license and a Virginia license plate, all while you live in Rhode Island.
You know to stay FAR away from the commissary near the 1st and 15th of every month…and this doesn’t require an explanation.
You tear up when you hear the national anthem even though you’ve heard it 100 times before.
You understand the kind of selfless, overcome-anything, everyone is jealous kind of romance that most people think only exists in movies.
When your spouse is deployed, your phone because an extra limb.
However supportive, your friends don’t quite understand what your life is really like.
You’re not really sure you understand it either since your SO comes home every day with new plans, schedules, or orders.
And while some days, it makes you want to scream, cry or give up, deep down you are proud to serve too and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
When Life Brings You Lemons
Although military spouse life has its ups and downs, finding the humor in the crazy can make it a little more bearable and fun. And if all else fails, remember, if you don’t like our situation now, just give it time, the military will be changing things up real soon.
