Celebrating the Military Spouse

 

The Saturday before Mother’s Day is traditionally recognized as a day to celebrate the Military Spouse. It was originally chosen when most spouses were female. However today, we celebrate spouses that are both male and female. These incredibly talented people serve alongside their military member. Many with very successful careers of their own. In 1997 I had an opportunity to share this message with a very large national gathering in a very subtle way.

He said yes...and then asked me.

My spouse was a captain and heading to a conference in Washington DC to accept an award. I wanted to go along, but our budget was tight. A few weeks before he was to leave, he received a call asking if I was attending with him and if I would represent all Air Force Spouses during a presentation at the final event. Since he knew I wanted to attend, he said yes and then asked me.

What to wear? 

Our trip was wonderful. I was able to watch him receive his award along with his team. And, I had a beautiful new gown to wear to the event. At rehearsal that afternoon, I stood on stage with an amazing group of people that represented all different facets of military life. We were told we could leave during dessert to change into our uniforms or what we would wear normally every day to work. As the representatives for spouses, I was told I could stay in my gown. This sounded wonderful.

But, as I thought about it, how many spouses hang around all day in formal wear just waiting to attend Dining Outs, or awards ceremonies? I wanted to show that we support the mission in a number of ways. So, during dessert that night, I ran through the halls in my heels and gown back to my room to change.

Did I make the right choice? 

As the mother of two and a teacher with her own career plans, I proudly stood on the stage that night in my tennis shoes and a Winnie the Pooh jumper that read "speling isnt everything". When they introduced me, I was initially a little self-conscious. Did I make the right decision? But, after we were finished and I returned to my seat I could hear people saying, “there’s the wife,” or “there’s the spouse.”

My husband and I met up with a friend after the event to have a drink. He was still in his mess dress uniform and I was still in my jumper and tennis shoes. We were quite a sight. But, as we sat there and people exited the ballroom, they came up and thanked me.

Today, I want to share that gratitude with all of you!

To All our Military Spouses, Thank You!

Picture from Dinner, before I changed.