My Time In Cali

So here it is, it's coming to an end. I've been in California since December 2009 and I'm leaving come Monday.

Let me tell you, I've definitely met some of the greatest people I know.

After my husband left in May 2010, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I hadn't met many people nor grown close to anyone, but I knew I couldn't go back to Ohio due to financial reasons. All I could keep thinking is that I'd be staring at the four walls of our apartment for the next four months. I was a mess (to say the least).

Well, after the first couple weeks of me being home alone I received a phone call. It was Jamie. Jamie and I had met 2 weekends before my husband left California and we really didn't know one another. As we were talking she brought up the thought of me moving in with her, her husband, Greg, and their, then, 11 month old son, Emerson. After talking it over with the husband we concluded that it'd be a great idea.

It was the best idea ever. The last 4 months of my life out in California have been very enjoyable. I'm not sure what I'd do without Jamie and Greg. They've really taken me under their wing and I am forever grateful. They rescued me from nights of constant crying. I didn't realize I could make such great friends in such little time.

Emerson, their son has also been a saving grace to me. I love this kid so much. I've always liked kids, but Emerson is truly one of a kind that I've become really close to! I've seen him go from crawling to walking to running. He's even saying words now. Of course, among his words is "Jess"...ahhh! It's amazing how much he's grown and it'll tear me up to leave.

I know reading this you probably are thinking, wow, she didn't know these people, how did it go? Truthfully, me living here has been amazing. We haven't fought or argued about anything. Jamie is a stay at home mom and I am a stay at home wife. For us being around one another 24/7 you'd think we'd have fights...or something. We haven't. Not one. We've become extremely close and I love this family with my entire heart and I will definitely miss them.

Along with Jamie, I have met so many different Marine wives. It's amazing how much different we all are, but yet, so much alike. I have been so blessed to have so many friends out here. It's such a bittersweet circumstance. I am very happy to be able to be with my husband, but yet so sad to have to leave everyone that I have met here. Marine wives are like family to me. It's just the vicious cycle that we military families experience. You marry a Marine, leave your family for complete strangers (across the country) who then become your family, and you just leave again. It's definitely a one of a kind lifestyle that you'll never understand unless you live it.

So in writing this, I just wanted to show Jamie and Greg how appreciative I am of them. Without you guys I honestly don't know what I'd be doing. I'd probably be banging my head against the wall with tears running down my face. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can never explain how grateful I am for you.

I love you and I will miss you more than you know.