The Real Army Wives

**I posted this originally here in November 2010 – the article mentioned can be found in May’s issue of Military Spouse Magazine!! It’s out on news stands already in some locations. I’m so excited because it’s my first national publication so I thought I’d share this post once again with the background story. Please check your Barnes n’ Noble for the Magazine – some carry it – and let me know what you think!  If you’re military, you can find it in your commissary or NEX, BX, PX.

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I had the pleasure of interviewing five Army Wives for an article I am writing on spec for Military Spouse Magazine.  It will be my very first article in a national publication if all goes well and my piece fits the needs of the magazine. Needless to say, I’m super stoked to have this opportunity!

I was honored to hear the varied stories and experiences that these women have endured  as wives of soldiers. Many have seen two or more 1+ year deployments with their husband in a war zone. Namely the Middle East. They have seen children born, friends lost, and had to PCS (military speak for move) all on their own while their other half is serving our country. I am in awe of their strength to say the least.

As interview experiences go, I really think this was the ideal. We ladies sat around a dining room table complete with cake and wine flowing. I think you could even hear the cork pop on my audio recording…….{wink}

We visited like old friends even though most of the ladies are very new friends and acquaintances of mine. The fact that they trusted me with their stories and perspectives on their lives as Army Wives was a huge honor in itself.  I only hope I can write their story in a way that truly reflects them in the light that they are so deserving of.

Laura, Kellie, Megan, Claire and Chrissy represent optimism, strength and resiliency in the face of sacrifice for the greater good. I am honored to call them friends. Below is a picture of all of us.

From Left to Right: Megan, Myself, Laura, Claire, Kelly, Chrissy – The REAL Army Wives (except for me of course – my hubby is Navy)

I was invited to join these fun ladies for one of their evenings out to celebrate birthdays. One of the priorities of this group is their support for one another through everything and of course, celebrations of life are a must!

For now, I’m off to start that story draft….wish me luck on my first national magazine article. I hope it meets the needs of this fabulous publication so we can see the story of these remarkable women shared with Military Spouses everywhere enduring the same trials and tribulations that deployments bring.

Their story will no doubt inspire us all to take on the positive perspective in life, even when it is a more trying time like a year-long deployment of ones spouse to a war zone.