On this most auspicious occasion

Today marks the third wedding anniversary of a good friend. And by my calculations the second of three that she has had to spend alone. That SUCKS!
But I get it. I get the life, as military wives, that we've chosen. It's still hard and at the end of the day to crawl into bed alone just reminds you how lonely this life can be. So I made a very solid effort to spend as much time with her today as I could without suffocating her. I wanted to offer a good balance of having company but some peace to cope.
The holidays are a rough time to be without your special loved one. You want them there to enjoy in the festivities and the family nature of the get togethers. But when you're the one left behind, people realize that and try to include you. You can almost get swept up in the happy holiday spirit.
But your anniversary is different. To the rest of the world, it's just a Saturday or a Tuesday or whichever day. But to you, it's the most important day. Holidays happen regardless. They always have. But your anniversary marks the day that you chose to be with someone. You chose to make a life with that one particular somebody. And as such, it's kind of nice if they're around to share it.
Another friend's husband left just two weeks before their second anniversary. So my friend was left alone, after only celebrating one anniversary, to celebrate this one alone. That SUCKS!
I wonder how the wives of WWI and WWII veterans handled being left for years at a time. Did the Vikings' wives mind their husbands being gone for years just to go sacking and pillaging?
It's always so much harder being the one left behind. The one who leaves has an adventure to begin while the one left behind is picking up the pieces and figuring out how to fill the void that's created.
I remember when darling hubby left for Hawaii and then on deployment. We were dating and then not dating and then dating again. We spent a total of ten months apart and it was rough, to say the least. But it's a totally different level of rough when it's a spouse rather than just a significant other. I remember how hard it was to have to wait for the phone call, never knowing when it might come. The joy of recognizing the country code on the caller ID, the absolute gut wrenching pain of seeing that missed call, the frustration of dealing with people (who with great intentions, but we know the road to Hell is paved with those) asking when he was coming home or when I was going to talk to him next.
It's just rough.
So to my girlfriends who have dealt with a deployment, to those dealing with one, and to my bestest gal pal who is about to deal with one, I get it as best that I can considering mine is upstairs playing Everquest (where he always is and will be). I commend your honor, your courage, and you commitment (note the nuance). And on your anniversaries, know that you're not so very alone; I'm there, even if not in person. My thoughts and love are always there.