This young man joined United States Navy 20 years ago. His grand idea was to serve one term or enlistment and get out and attend college. That was twenty years ago. His incredibly smart brain got him sucked in the nuclear power program and it just took off from there. What an adventure this sailor has had over the span of those twenty years. He got to see the world and prove all those cool commercials you see on television to be true. He started in 1989 weighing not much more than a buck fifty and a head full of dark hair. He has slowed down a little bit since then as the knees have taken a beating working on metal floors in submarines for so long.
I met this sailor in 2001. We were both in our 30's and had some baggage we were toting around with us. Yet, we got past that baggage to discover that we were meant to be together from that moment on. What an adventure I've had in the past eight years. When I met my husband, I was a small town girl content and satisfied to live in that small town forever and ever amen. He showed me our great country by introducing traveling to my life. With him, I flew in an airplane for the first time, went to visit the West, drove across TEXAS (everyone should have to do this at least one time in their lives), and so many other fun things I never even thought about.
Because of this man and his patience and love for life, I found a side of myself that I never knew existed. The side that would leave that small town to see what else was out there. I will never be able to thank him enough.
You and I will never know exactly what he has seen, experienced, and done. He alone will have those memories to visit when he's older and sitting at the end of the day looking over his life. I admit to being somewhat jealous of those memories because I do know they will be amazing.
I am so honored to be a part of this Chief's life. The future is unfolding in front of us and, even though I wasn't there the entire twenty years of his Naval adventure.....I'm right beside him for the next adventure happening now.
Thank you, Chief The Man. Thank you for serving our country for twenty years and for crying when you said good bye. You are the type of person we need defending our freedom for always.
19 comments:
What a lovely tribute to Fred! I'm a bit weepy, I admit!
Thanks to him for being the wonderful American he is! And he's a lucky man to be married to you, Miss Hope!
Congratulations to The Chief - what a wonderful tribute Hope!
It brought tears to my eyes
love it! what is next?
Simply Incredible, Hope! Wishing you and The Chief the greatest as you start your newest adventure.
well written and congrats again to the Chief and his wonderful family. Happy for the new adventure and looking forward to the Chief eventually bringing you back to the "small town"! Until then...I'm with you for the ride!
Love ya'll!!
Congratualtions again! Good luck on this next phase of life!
This gave me goosebumps! What an awesome post, and the pictures were just awesome. Thanks for serving our country...
My love....Thank you for the lovely words. You are the most incredibly, fantastic wife.
I look forward with much anticipation to spending the rest of my life and many more adventures with you.
Brought tears to my eyes friend!
Beautiful tribute.
Congrats Chief BRAVO ZULU!!!
Enjoy the next adventure.
Great tribute Hope ~ brought tears to my eyes.
great tribute to your hubby, Hope! It sounds like you truly found your match.
Congratulations on your retirement, Chief! (I think it's awesome that you read your wife's blog.) My family is so grateful for your selfless service to our country and we appreciate the sacrifices made by you and your family on my family's behalf.
Wishing ya'll the best for the future!!
what a sweet man!!
I really love this post you made, you sure do love him lots!!!
I have driving across Texas MANY times, and I'm sure I will many more times...I'm glad you got a kick out of it, because for me it's more of a hassle haha
You are so sweet, Hope. I bet my husband wishes he were married to you instead of me. ;)
I've been trying to send you a message through FB and it's being contrary today so I"ll leave it here. I contacted my friend Tina who lives in Augusta and she has given me ALL her contact info. She actually works for an apartment complex if you happen to need one for a while. She's very active in her church and with her son's activities so I figured she might be able to steer you in the right direction. You will love her, she is full of the awesome. When FB starts working again I"ll PM you with all her stuff.
You are still going to Augusta right? I'd feel really stupid if I got confused.
And feel free to delete my comment if all of this is not supposed to be common knowledge.
That is so sweet. I wish I could have been right by his side the whole time. We started to go in the same year but it didn't work out that way. I ended up leaving first. And I think if I had him by my side the whole time then who knows I may have done more than 4 and a half years. He is going to be great at whatever he does. He is a very strong man even though he doesn't always think so. He can do anything he sets his mind to. I am so proud to be able to call him my brother. He served our country with the utmost respect and honor. And it's thanks to men and women like him that we are able to have the freedoms we do.
Way to go, Hope, beautiful tribute and Thank you, Fred, so much for your 20 years for all of us!!
God bless you both in your future travels!!
Congrats to you both- Enjoy the next adventure!
Congrats, Hope and Fred! Best wishes on your life together after the Navy! :)
Congratulations!!
That was wonderful!! I love the pics too... you have me chills:) One day that will be us, what an amazing feeling that is. Thank you Fred for your service and for your stregnth to allow him to.
Alyson
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