6 Details to Know Before Marrying a Service Member
Can you believe that you found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? The zinger is that they’re in the military! But, you’re in love; you can make it through anything.
Many people have no idea what it means to marry a service member. While you’re planning the rest of your life, there are a few things that you should know about marrying a service member:
1. Traditions are untraditional.
Going to Grandma’s for Christmas and having your extended family over for a BBQ on Memorial Day weekend might be a thing of the past. When married to a service member, your location will not be chosen based on where your family is. Service members may also miss every single holiday in a year, as well as major events, such as births and funerals.
2. Moving is in your near future, often.
If you’re lucky, you might end up near friends or family at some point, thought it’s rare. That said, don’t get your hopes up because it’s impossible to accommodate everyone’s wants and needs, location-wise. The fun part? Getting to see a variety of places in the U.S. and maybe even around the world!
3. Resiliency is your new name.
This is a requirement if you want to further your relationship with a service member. They’re going to be moving and leaving and moving and leaving. Adaptability needs to be a part of your life, as well as acceptance of this new life situation. Know that it’s possible to do, however, and there are so many support systems for military spouses who continue to uproot year after year.
4. Making new friends is hard.
Depending on the installation and the career path of your service member, living on the installation may or may not be an option. Whether on or off, it’s sometimes difficult to make new friends. It’s best to keep an open mind when moving to a new location and try to find friends immediately.
5. You can’t always get what you want.
Sometimes in life, things happen when you might really need your significant other, but you have to accept that there will be times when they aren’t able to come to you or be with you.
6. Making adult decisions is a yearly thing.
Many military couples have to make decisions on important topics at a quick pace. Buying a home, moving, selling items, careers, marriage, birth plans, loans, funeral arrangements, college, etc. are all things most couples will take their time on to make sure they’re making the right decision. But most military couples will never have that much time before they have to jump right in.
While these six details are important to know to prepare yourself before marrying a service member, you’re embarking on an amazing journey. You’ll live in neat places, meet friends who will feel more like family, and create magical memories. No matter what happens, there will be plenty of support along the way. Take it when it’s offered and you’ll do just fine. You’ll see.
