A week and a day and counting!!

I cannot believe how fast the time has already gone by.  From a mere thought, so stirring idea, to crazy possibility, to set in stone trip, I officially leave to Okinawa, Japan in a week and one day!!  I never thought I would ever have such an opportunity and never thought it would have been here within a blink of an eye!  Although so much to do still I feel I am ready for this amazing trip and next chapter in my life.

Aside from all the craziness that has been happening the past few months, I must say I am very fortunate to have Corporal Sammy Rincon in my life.  He has always been a great friend but these past months have proved he means so much more to me and I to him.  He makes the effort to tell me good morning and have a good day when in fact he is about to fall asleep.  He insists on using his lunch break and time to video call me  just to catch up and see how my day has been going so far.  He made it a priority to call me as soon as I was able and healthy enough to speak after an unexpected surgery I had recently.  Just hearing the concern in his voice makes me realize how much he truly and deeply cares.  He talks me through the events that have come up recently and assures me that all will pass, fall into place where it should be and in the end be okay.  It is truly amazing how even from 9,500 miles away he is able to put me at ease and stay positive.  I admire him in so many ways as an individual as well as a soldier and I make sure to tell him as often as I can.  Knowing my care packages I have sent bring smiles to his face and happiness throughout makes my days brighter as well.  Just being able to see and hear him through a simple computer screen makes me the happiest I have been in a very...very long time.  We often lose track of how long we talk for at times and it almost feels as if he is physically in front of me the whole times.  This whole experience seems completely surreal but as mentioned, I couldn't be happier as I have been recently knowing I have him there through it all.      

I am very anxious to see where the cards fall once I have traveled 9, 500 miles to see him and accompany him to one of the greatest events of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Ball.  I am not only honored but completely and utterly flattered that he has asked me and is willing to put forth the effort to send me there to be with him for it.  I have never felt so admired by someone and the feeling is reassuring, encouraging and helps me to believe in fate and waiting for the right timing in situations.  I have learned lately that timing is everything and we learn through it that some things did not work out when they did because it was not the right time for them to.  I am also beginning to see more clearly and understand the phrase of "Everything happens for a reason."  The twists and turns that life takes you are for reasons and lessons learned.  So who knows, maybe this trip will be yet another lesson learned to add to my collection or in fact be a chapter that all these reasons have led up to.  Time will only tell. :)  But for now I still have some major shoe shopping to be done to go with my dress for the ball!  Hopefully I have the time for this as I leave in 8 days!!!