Living Out My Dreams

You may notice it's been rather quiet around this blog for the past year or so. With all of last year's marathon training, long hours at my civilian job, attempting to commission in the Air National Guard, and truly just kicking back and enjoying time with Daniel—blogging just truly hasn't been one of my top priorities. I'll admit, I miss sharing my story through posts and photos, but taking a break has truly helped me catch my breath! I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has emailed me, left comments on my posts, and just reached out to say hi! I'm still here—I promise!—I'm just spending less time online and more time out living it!

That being said, I've referred to this a little bit on Aunie Sauce since last year, but in September 2015 I was notified that I had been selected for an officer slot within the Idaho Air National Guard. When I joined the ANG back in 2013, my goal had been to commission. Hallelujah... my dreams were coming true! After playing the waiting game for the last eight months—which is common in the military—I am currently living out my dreams and attending Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) down in Alabama. I will be spending a LOT of time at training in the upcoming months, so this is a huge step for me, Daniel and our future!

To say that OTS is a challenging program is an understatement. It has tested me more than almost anything I've ever done. But it is so worth it. I wouldn't trade any 0400-2300 workday, any minute spent marching from here to there, any six-minute chow where we have to totally scarf our food, any hour of classroom lecture, any 341 pulled, or any moment of all the stress to miss out on this opportunity. To go from an Airman First Class to a Second Lieutenant is going to be such an honor. I am so thrilled and grateful to be given this experience, and I am taking every day as it comes... one meal at a time.

So thank you all in advance for your support, encouragement, and continued support as I live out my dreams through this next chapter of my life. I may not be blogging as frequently, but I promise that means that I'm busy, learning, and growing personally & professionally more and more each day.

Sending love in my absence, all the way from Alabama. Aim high, right? HUA!

32.

"They say it's your birthday!

It's my birthday too, yeah...

They say it's your birthday,

We're gonna have a good time.

I'm glad it's your birthday...

Happy birthday to you!"

- "Birthday" by The Beatles

My Best Friend Daniel,

         Cue the Beatles... because they say it's your birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I can't believe that your 32nd year is upon us already. How are we not parents by now? Time just goes by so quickly.

          It's hard to believe that just a short two years ago, I was down at Basic Training during your Birthday, and it was so hard to be away from you on your special day. I was especially sad that I didn't even get to call you to say hello. Isn't it crazy that I am now—again—even FARTHER away from you (2,200 miles) at Officer Training School? And similarly, I also don't get to talk to you—again—because our phones have also been taken away from us down here! No kidding. I just miss spending my guy's birthday with him, darn it! We better not make a habit of this!

          I'm so excited to see what this year will bring you (a.k.a. us). We'll both be looking forward to new professional opportunities, a few nice travel trips, definitely lots of new restaurants and foodie experiences, and gosh... just more time to be grateful to have each other. 32 is going to look good on you, my man.

          This is the fifth year that I've written you a letter on your birthday. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I know I'm halfway across the United States from you but every time I think about how much I miss you and how difficult it is to be apart, I remember all the sacrifices we are making for each other and our future together. It makes every 4:30 am - 11:00 pm day, getting yelled at by the MTI's, the endless hours of marching and drill, and all the days apart just that much more worth it. Truly, I'd much rather be enjoying a cider with you on our driveway while we watch the sun set; but I'll be back home in your arms so soon, I promise.

Here's to you, loves. I'll be jammin' out all day to your family's favorite birthday song, thinking about you every single minute. Enjoy your 32nd, sweetheart. Today, it's all about you!

Sending air hugs & kisses from down South in Alabama,

Your soon-to-be 2nd Lieutenant Aunie Loves ♥

Past birthday letters to Daniel: 28 │ 29 │ 30 │ 31