20 days

I know what you're thinking "20 days?! Molly, clearly you have forgotten how to count this deployment, you have WAY less than 20 days left of deployment"… and you're right, I have DO have way less than 20 days to go (thankfully, I am reminded of this by the shortening paper link chain hanging from our overhead lights). We are at now is a point where I have fewer days left to go of deployment than I do number of days that Dan and I have actually been together since we've been married (which is 20). And if these next 15 days go by half as fast as the 20 days that we were together went, well, then consider me pretty much home!

So of course, that got me thinking to the past 6 months that we have been married and the (extremely) limited time that we have spent together. And thus the following was "Overheard in the Zulu Module" this evening:

Me: "so my husband and I have officially been married for half a year today!"

Random Girl Sitting Surface Tracker: "haven't you been gone for like, half a year?" [said in an incredulous tone as she clearly is trying to do the quick math in her head of how long I'd been gone and how long I'd been married]

Me: "That's correct"

Random Girl Sitting Surface Tracker: "So, you haven't gotten to see much of him since you've been married have you?"

Me: "No, not much at all"

I can't believe it was exactly 6 months ago that we were here at King Family Vineyard, surrounded by the most incredible family and friends we could ever have been blessed with. I can't believe it has been 6 months since I felt this kind of happiness (ok, Dubai was just about this happy too). Most couples who are newlyweds can't believe how fast the early months/year of a marriage go by. These couples obviously must have spent more than 20 days together their first 6 months because I can't believe just how darn SLOW time is moving. It's funny, because I wish I could look back and reflect on the amazingness of being a newlywed and comment on all of the joys of marriage and just how wonderful it is to be together. Instead, I will continue to keep close to my heart the only things I do have- memories of the hours and days we were together and the anticipation and excitement for being together again soon (oh yeah, and 1,544 beautiful wedding pictures- thanks Sarah Cramer :)

So here's to the next 6 months being sweeter than the last and the worst days of our marriage being (almost) behind us. And happy 20-day anniversary to my loving and equally anxious husband. I love you :) [editor's note: i love you too :)]