Sympathy? Thanks but no thanks....

Over the course of the last 5 months, I have had a lot of people tell me they feel sorry for me because I am away from my wife, because I have additional responsibilities at home and with Keira while Crystal is away, or because I have to move around the country all the time. Although people's intentions are obviously not bad,  I wanted to try and explain why the sympathy is not needed. Crystal and I started dating in 2000. From the very beginning, she made it very clear and was always honest with me about what her intentions were as far as a career in the United States Air Force. We had only been dating a short time when I decided to move to San Diego with her because she had a full ride scholarship to SDSU. We were married in 2003 in Colorado. Keira was born in 2007. I honestly didn't know how life was going to actually be like when I decided to support Crystal with her career and choose to spend the rest of my life with her as a "military wife". Nobody can prepare themselves for this lifestyle. The difference is that it does't matter. I believe in what she is doing and I knew what I was getting myself into when I got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. (I am obviously very good at tricking people because she said yes.)  Over the last 11+ years I have been on a great adventure. We celebrate our 9 year wedding anniversary next month.  Don't get me wrong, there are times when things are tough, but tell me about a marriage that hasn't had tough times due to one or both spouses careers. Here is my advice. The next time you want to give sympathy to a military member or their families, instead of saying you feel sorry for them, tell them that you are grateful for the sacrifices that they make for our great country. Hearing someone say think you and sincerely mean it makes it all worth it. At least it does for me.