Stan's Return!

Having Stan home has been wonderful. The past few months seem like a blur. It seems like yesterday I was running around the house getting everything ready for his return. Now, here we are almost two months later and it seems as though he never left.

Below are pictures of the day he returned:

All smiles! So happy to be together!
Stan's family & church friends were at the ceremony. Looking back over the past year, I can definitely see how God brought us through the time apart and brought us closer to Him and each other. What a comfort to know that during tough trials & hard times that "God works ALL things together for good for those that love Him." The time we had apart was time separated, but definitely not time wasted...

Reunited- Stan's R&R

I always have a hard time expressing myself in big moments. That's why I prefer to write letters, so I can let others know how I feel and not let my emotions get the best of me. I wrote Stan a letter to read on the plane when he left here, and for his leave I mailed him a letter to read on the plane ride home. I knew in the airport I would be an emotional mess and not able to express my feelings. Below is the letter I wrote. (I deleted some of it, but I wanted to share the rest.) The feeling of excitement, relief and overwhelming joy felt when being reunited with your spouse after 10 months is really indescribable.

Dear Stan,

Well, we did it! Not only have we made it to your leave, but we've made it to the 10 month mark! I never thought this day would come, but the Lord was faithful and deserves all the glory. He has brought us to this point and has grown our love for Him and each other to levels I never imagined.

I have planned your R&R with you in mind. I want it to be a vacation, where you can truly relax and get away from your job. We'll have plenty of time to enjoy quality time together, home-cooked meals, lazy mornings, trips the beach, vacation to TN, or whatever else you want. You also have many surprises planned...but you'll have to discover those as they come.

I want you to know the past 10 months have been difficult; BUT I can't think of anything else I would rather have done than hold down the homefront for you and wait for your return. You make me proud to go on this journey, and even with the deployment, marrying you was the best decision I ever made. It's been over 300 days since I saw you last, and this day is one of the happiest days of my life thus far, because I get to be reunited with my best friend. I will probably be crying in the airport when you see me due to my happiness. I can't wait to go home and enjoy 2 weeks together making up for lost time.

I love you so much. Try to get some rest on the plan ride. See you very soon!

Love, Kathryn


Stan's still home on leave, and we're enjoying every minute being together! I'll update everyone on our time together over the past few weeks once he's gone.