Hitting home, We will never forget

September 11, 2001

A date that no American will ever forget. 

Ask anyone.

Anyone what they were doing on this morning 10 years ago

they can tell you.

Ask me what I was doing last Tuesday, I have no idea.

September 11, 2001 I was in the 7th grade in shop class.

The teacher's phone rang about 9:00am and he turned on the television.

We were all asked to return to our seats because something was going on

and we were all going to watch the news.

I saw the second plane hit the tower.

I still didn't really understand what was going on.

The school day schedule went along as normal.

However, this was not a normal day.

We changed classes at the normal times but we watched the news all day.

In every class.

I still didn't really understand what was going on.

I saw the panic on the principal's face.

I saw the horror in the teacher's eyes.

Yet, I still didn't really understand what was going on.

It wasn't until about 4:00pm when I got home that I understood the severity of the events.

Yes, I saw the second plane hit.

Yes, I had seen the reports about the Pentagon and Camp David.

But at the time, surrounded by my classmates and peers.. 

I still didn't really understand what was going on.

When I got home from school I saw my parents both at home watching the news

sitting next to my aunt and uncle. 

They were glued to the television.

Dinner wasn't made.

No afternoon snacks were prepared. 

Nobody spoke.

They just stared at the tv.

I mustered up the courage to ask what this day had meant.

One word.

War.

Dad said this was a possibility that we were going to war.

War?

That's all I heard. 

I sat absentmindedly watching the news with them.

War.

That's the only thing I could hear.

This isn't supposed to happen.

America being in a war is only supposed to be in the History book.

It's not supposed to happen in my lifetime.

I can hear stories about grandparents and great-grandparents fighting in wars.

But War?

Now?

I excused myself to the bathroom.

I walked in and closed the door behind me.

I sank to the floor with my back against the door.

I cried.

I sobbed.

I finally understood the severity of the day's events.

In the most honest part of my heart,

I knew that I, personally would be affected by this in the future.

I didn't know why or how.

I just had a feeling this was going to hit home, literally.

Fast forward four years to November 2005.

I'm working in Target the day after Thanksgiving.

I meet this boy.

He changes his duties to be able to work along beside me.

We start talking.

Getting to know each other.

On our first night of talking, he says he is thinking of joining the military.

He asks my opinion.

It's just a thought in his mind at the moment.

His parents are kind of iffy on the idea.

There's not really anyone backing him up and being a cheerleader in his corner.

Then he mentions his grandfather.

He has so much respect for this man. This veteran.

He wants to make him proud.

He wants to join the United States Army.

If you know me, you know I was raised very patriotic.

My family was all about the red, white and blue.

I was so supportive of this boy I just met.

I encouraged him to follow his heart's desire. 

Choosing the military is awesome, you are so brave.

Fast forward just 6 more years. 

We've been through

Bootcamp 2006

Deployment 2007-2008

Marriage 2007

Baby 2010

Pending deployment next summer 2012

I knew. I knew on that day just 10 short years ago.

As I sat in the bathroom crumpled on the floor

I knew I would be personally affected by this.

I wouldn't change it for the world.

I didn't lose a family member or loved one that day.

I wasn't in New York in the middle of the fear and terror.

But I am here 10 years later. 

Supporting my husband.

Supporting the decision he made to defend our freedom.

Defending those who did lose family and friends that day.

I can truly say from the bottom of my heart

That this family will NEVER forget.

Here is a link to a website depicting the times and events that occurred that day. 

I cry as I read it.