Today, the fat lady sings.

I don't even know how to say this, I feel like I just lost a limb or something.  Today, we are officially civilians.  I could never have predicted how emotion I would be over leaving the Army.  I've been crying for days, yet I cannot put into words why this is so upsetting.  I've been trying to figure out what to write about this for days and I just have no words.  I really wish I could explain my emotions right now but nothing I type seems to make sense or convey exactly how I'm feeling.

Once again, the lyrics of my all time favorite song seem to be the only words I have.

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,

I hope you had the time of your life."

It's So Hard....

...To Say Goodbye. Any Boys II Men fans? I've noticed I do this a lot with my posts, use song lyrics as titles...if you've ever met my husband, you'll understand where it comes from. If he hears anything that is some part of a song or similar to a song lyric he knows, he's going to sing it.  Doesn't matter the setting, he's singing.  Sometimes it's cute and other times it annoys the crap out of me, either way it's rubbed off on me!  I digress.

I've said a lot of goodbyes over the past few weeks.

Kumiko, my friend and student.

 Kyoko, my volunteer buddy.

Marissa, my favorite spin instructor.

Preston, my great friend and physics lab partner from college.

Our great friends, "the Robs" (Rob & Robert).

Misae, one of my lovely students.

Today was by far the hardest though.  Our best friends left the island today, 9 days before us.  I'm so grateful we are leaving soon because looking out our back window and seeing their empty house makes me incredibly sad.  One of our neighbors planned a surprise going away BBQ for them earlier this week and it was the perfect night.  Our closest friends all made it our for one last night together.

The guys.

The ladies + adorable baby Sawyer!

These children all adore my husband (the feeling is mutual) and we've had a great time getting to know them and watch them grow over the past few years.  (Only 2 of them belong to our friends who left today)

Kristin has been my rock, my confidant, my therapist, my role model and my best friend for the past 3 years.  I thank God everyday that he placed our families together here at the same time, in houses just across the lawn.  I know that we'll be life long friends.  Both of our families (and our husband's) are from the same general area so I know we'll see each other again over the years when we're in town visiting our families and I'm certain we'll plan trips to visit them at their new home and vice versa.

Kristin, I know you'll read this so I just want to say thank you for being my best friend.  I'll miss you every day until I see you (and your boys) again!

PS.  "Oh boy!"

Hardest goodbye of my life

Last week the awesome women I teach English on Wednesdays took me out for a wonderful meal.

This week I taught them my final lesson

Class A

Class B

As a military spouse, I've said hundreds of goodbyes but none have been as difficult as this one.  I managed to keep myself composed through both classes, then at the end of the second class, the ladies sang to me and I lost it!  I will never be able to hear "You Are My Sunshine" again without thinking of these beautiful women.  I cannot even begin to put into words how much I'm going to miss them.  They came into my life with such love and enthusiasm and have brought so much joy to my time here in Japan.

I know some of you read this so I want to say thank you.  Thank you for allowing me into your hearts and sharing your lives with me.  Please come see me in California!  I miss all of you already.

Sayonara

Today I had to say "see you again some day" to my dear friend Melissa

No matter how many times this happens, it never get easier!