Matthew and I have known for a long, long time that he would be going on a four and half month deployment come the beginning of the year. Most of the time I look forward to the holiday season, but it was a bit difficult this year since we knew that Matthew would be leaving shortly after.
Before the ship set sail, we said some good byes in the ward room
and then some more good byes out on the flight deck.
After a lot of hugs and a few tears, the other junior officer wives and I stood out on the pier waving goodbye to our husbands. It sure was nice to have some good friends from the ship to be with during this time.
It takes a while for the ship to make it all the way from the pier out to the ocean so Emma, Erika and I headed out to the dog beach on Hickam Air Force Base to get one last glimpse of the USS Reuben James as it heads out to sea.
We were close enough to the ship that we could see all the sailors in their dress whites manning the rails. They all looked so handsome.
Matthew is out to sea and will hopefully have many wonderful adventures thoughout the Pacific.
Emma, baby girl and I can't wait for him to be home soon.
The Reuben James will be Back with a Vengeance!
