Graduation Part 1

I have decided to break this post into two parts for the sake of keeping things short and sweet.  I also don't want to skip out on any sweet details!

Last Tuesday was easily the most my heart has pounded in a very long time… I was almost 37 weeks pregnant packing the car to make the 5 hour trip to Newport with my Mom, Sister and favorite two year old.  Every hour we got closer to Rhode Island the butterflies in my stomach grew and I was faced with the reality that the almost four months that kept Will and I apart were quickly coming to an end.

I remember the pit I had in my stomach driving over the Newport bridge last time in March wanting to burst into tears knowing I would be leaving alone.  This time it was so beautiful with the water full of sailboats, and I couldn't believe Will would be not only coming back with us, but coming back an Officer!  Lets just say the arrival to Newport was a much more joyous event in July and it wasn't because of the warmer weather(although it didn't hurt).

Will told me that day he would have graduation practice around the time we would be getting to Newport so he wouldn't be able to see us until after they were finished.  I wanted to drive on base and see if we could see them on the field practicing from a distance.  As we were trying to be incognito driving around base we were faced with three men in uniform crossing the street, and they were staring right at us.  I panicked thinking we were somewhere we weren't supposed to be and tried to instantly turn the car around.  My sister then shouts "Its Will!", and since they all looked the same with hats on I ignored her and continued trying to leave.  Just as I am thinking we were going to be kicked off base, I realize one of those serious looking guys staring at us was in fact my husband!  This was not the romantical reunion I had envisioned but all of a sudden I was face to face with my sailor; stunned would have been an understatement.  We knew he was on his way to practice so he just had enough time to stick his head in the window and give Wilbur and I a kiss.  I thought little man might be a little weary of this guy he hasn't seen in four months but low and behold he was cheesing from ear to ear and didn't quite know how to contain his excitement to see "DA"

After parting ways and checking into the hotel, we were able to go back on base and visit with Will for a little while.  We went down to a little jetty just as the sun was setting, and it was absolutely picture perfect for a proper reunion.  We watched planes fly by, said "DA" about 200 times, and little Will even got to open a present from Dad(I brought this as a buffer in case Wilbur was a little forgetful of Dad at first).  Luckily the gift just added to little mans elation to be back together with his best buddy.  It was just surreal to be standing and talking with Will after what felt like years apart.  Since Will didn't get liberty that night we dropped him off right after it got dark and headed back to the hotel.  Everyone was exhausted.

Wednesday was a whirlwind.  We woke up to crazy thunderstorms and I snuck out to attend a class for Navy spouses, leaving the girls and little man to sleep in.  The seminar was intended to inform us on anything from deployment to moving to proper etiquette for different Naval events.  I could not recommend this class enough for any spouses able to go to something like this.  I learned so much!  This was followed up with some down time at the hotel before the "Hi Moms" Reception at the Officers Club.

 We picked up Will and headed over for some hors d'oeuvres and a chance to celebrate Will and his classmates on their accomplishments.  It was so special to see all of the class in their "Whites"; you could feel the pride beaming from all of the LO's.  They gave different awards, recognized the class team, and went through different Navy traditions and toasts.  It was a much more moving reception than I was expecting.  I may or may not have had to fight off some tears attempting to ruin my makeup.

Just in case anyone was thinking everything went according to plan…..Will and all of his class were so nervous to be wearing their whites.  They did not want to be the one that spilled anything on their crisp looking uniforms, and you could tell none of them were really kicking back and enjoying themselves completely because of it.  While Will was able to dodge little Wills shoes, his flying drinks and snacks, don't you know as he goes to pick him up his belt buckle catches little mans knees and scratches him.  Of course my husband ends up being the one with blood streaked across his perfect uniform just as the reception was getting started.  I don't know which one of my boys I felt worse for.  Luckily only a couple people noticed the stain as we were leaving and we were able to crop it out of pictures.  Just another silly story for the books.

The night was wrapped up with dinner at the same restaurant Will and I went to when I dropped him off.  I am happy to report that I did not have to choke back tears between bites this time, however I was pretty distracted by a certain man in uniform dining next to me.  Everything seemed a little brighter and the lobster fritters definitely tasted better knowing tomorrow was the day we had long been waiting for. Stay tuned for Graduation part 2!!