Well, Life in Virginia….we lived there from 2011-2014 living in VB, and 2017-2020 in Norfolk.  Virginia Beach was beautiful.  We had a little condo right on shore drive, it is where Ella was born.   During that time Jason was med support for the Navy Seals.  It was a difficult time for all, as he was gone often training or deployed.  In fact, he was gone the entire pregnancy and arrived home two days before Ella was born, returning from his second OEF tour.  After she was born, our relationship was ultimately tested, as I had a mental health crisis and he tried his best to care for an infant.  I was hospitalized, for the duration of three months.  Everyday I remember trying to do whatever I could to get home to Ella and Jason.  Soon after getting better,  I vowed to do whatever to be the best mom possible.  I was not perfect by any means.   It was incredibly difficult adjusting.  Luckily, my parents physically moved close by in VB to be of support during that time when Jason was deployed again with the Seals to Uganda.  I remember that time in Virginia Beach overall full of incredible challenges, but making it through.

I do not miss Norfolk specifically, the train crossings always seem to catch me in a rush.  The traffic and base traffic left little to be desired.  That being said, I met forever friends in Norfolk.  I am thankful for that as all of our spouses were often deployed or underway, we banded together to help each other throughout. To my girlfriends, you know who you are….I am forever thankful for your friendship.   You helped in more ways than you might realize, helped me understand how to live as an individual, to not carry the shame of my MH disorder, and made me feel for the first time accepted for who I am.  For that I will always be grateful.