Recently I’ve aquired a new family member.

She’s got beautiful blue eyes and a big heart, 2 gorgeous children, and a husband, Chris,  a Navy Officer who adores the ground she walks on. I’ve only met her and her 2 girls once, about 7 months ago in fact upon a whirlwind trip to Sydney in which I met up with a bunch of friends, where we hit it off and we’ve not stopped talking since. I’ve never had the opportunity to meet her husband because of his occupation.

I’m talking about Fi. She’s a Mother, a wife, a daughter and up till recently a sister of 2.

Fiona – make that 3 siblings you have.

When I met Fi, she was busily getting her family ready to move house. But this wasn’t any old move – oh no siree! She was in the throes of getting the household ready to move to the USA where her husband was waiting for her to join him upon his 2 year deployment to San Diego, California.

As you may have realised, Fi is no ordinary woman. She is a Navy Wife – and whilst I know there are a lot of women in her position, dealing with deployments for Army, Navy or Airforce, I don’t know them or their stories.

In October 2011, Fi and her two young girls made their way across the globe where her and her girls were reunited with Chris who had left her and his babies, to be in the US, 3 months before she arrived to be with him. She flew with two children and a whole lotta suitcases – to be with the love of her life.

There was trepidation as she left, that the journey would be hellish with the two kids being stuck on a plane with sweet bugger all to entertain them, but kids being kids, surprised her and made little fuss.  She was able to breathe a sigh of relief. She would soon be with her sailor.

In the last 10 months, Fiona has seen her sailor for only 11 weeks. A little while before and after they were married (finally after having put it off due to deployment!) a few weeks before they moved from Australia and a few weeks whilst they settled into their new home in the US.

11 weeks to enjoy married life together. 11 weeks to hold one another and their children.

11 weeks.

There’s been some rough times, with kids settling into new routines, trying to fit into the new neighbourhood and making new friends, and all whilst missing her husband and soul mate.

I don’t know that I could do that.

Fi is surprisingly upbeat about her job as mother and wife. In her words, she’d “have it no other way”. She is proud of his determination and his willingness to fight for our freedom. This is her normal.

In the time since her deployment, Fi and I have learnt a lot about each other. I’ve learnt that she is not just a pretty face, but a woman who is creative – she’s a fabulous interior designer, budding photographer and makeup artist. She’s strong willed and intelligent. She’s a fabulous mother, friend and dedicated wife. She’s also a shopaholic – I’m envious!

What I love about Fi, is the way she still manages to get on about her day, getting the kids ready for school, staying strong in front of them, and keeping her tears for those moments when her babies won’t be affected by them. Because she knows all too well that her strength is what keeps the family together.

What’s brought this on? Why do I want to write a blog about one woman’s journey?

Because over the past few months, I’ve had a few twists occur in my life recently and with every single turn, with every single twist, Fi has been there with a shoulder to cry on, a friendly text telling me to pick up my socks and smile, and willingly stayed up till 3am talking me through the crazy storm of emotions I’ve had and all without complaint. Fi, we might not be related by blood, but with the love and support you have shown Dusty and I these past months, you’re family.

They say you can choose your friends and not your family – well they were wrong. I’ve been lucky to choose who to have in my family and there’s a few of you (Bec, Karishma, Skye, Kirsty, Chaz – just to name a few!) but this blog is dedicated to you.

My Tiffany’s loving, inspiring, beautiful friend and sister from another mister. Chris will be home soon, and I know that you will have the perfect outfit, with beautiful makeup and hair. He’s a lucky man.

And he knows it.

Thank you for being there, and for accepting me for me. Flaws and all.

I can’t wait for your return to Australia. To be there at the airport and capture the precious moments your families see you again. There will be a lot of tears and excitement, but it will be magic.

Love always,
Mel x