25 Questions for a Military Spouse!

I saw this cute mil-spouse quiz over at Tales from a Sailor's Soul Mate (she's got a great mil-spouse blog), and I couldn't help but take it myself! I love learning about my fellow military spouses, especially because our journeys are all so unique. I hope you'll take the quiz, too! Enjoy!


1. How did you and your spouse meet?

We met randomly on the internet. Mr. Duh was stationed in South Korea at the time, and got onto a dating website to check out the local girls near Hill AFB (the next place he was going to be stationed). I had an old profile on this dating site, and he decided to send me a "wink". when I saw how cute he was and that he was supposedly loca, I "winked" back. We winked back and forth for awhile, and realized that we were both too cheap to pay for the dating site, so we had to way to speak.

A few months later, he located me on MySpace (yes, I know... we're old), because I had the same picture on my profile as on the dating site. We started e-mailing back and forth as friends. He still had ten months left in South Korea, so we just decided to chat as friends. He was hilarious and so sweet. After six months of corresponding, we decided that we'd like to date when he was stationed at Hill AFB (which is just outside my hometown). We were pretty much in love by the time we met in person at the Salt Lake City Airport... and the rest is history!

2. How old were you when you two met?

I had just turned 24 when we finally met in person, and he was 30.


3. How long have you been together?

We have been together almost 7 years.


4. Where are you and your spouse originally from?

I am from Salt Lake City, Utah... born and raised. Mr. Duh is an Air Force brat, but spent most of his childhood in Hawaii and Florida.


5. How did you feel about him joining the military?

He had already been Active Duty for 5 years when we had met. The military came with the package. I always assumed that would be a lot easier than if he had joined after we got together.


6. Where did your spouse go to basic training?

He was in the Marine Reserves prior to becoming Active Duty Air Force. So, he went to Marine Basic at Paris Island, South Carolina.


7. Has your spouse ever been deployed?

Yes. He has been to the Middle East five times so far. I have been with him through two deployments.

8. Ever been to his promotion ceremony?

I just went to my first one two weeks ago! My Airman just made Technical Sgt!


9. How long have you been a military wife?

I have been married to the military for four years now.


10. Did you marry him before or after he joined?

After. He already had many years of service in when we met.


11. How did your husband propose?

He was recently home from deployment and wanted to take me out for a night on the town. He got a beautiful hotel room for the night, made reservations for a nice dinner, then we were going to meet up with friends for cocktails. During dinner he was acting a little strange, but I didn't think much of it. While we were eating, a couple at the table next to us got engaged! I commented on how sweet that was, and Mr. Duh got a little quieter during dinner. After the meal was over, I went back to the hotel to change into some jeans to go out for the night.

As I was changing, I turned around and Mr. Duh was down on his knee with a ring in his hand! He asked me to marry him! I was COMPLETELY surprised! I had no idea he was planning on proposing. I screamed, covered my eyes, laughed for a minute, and said "Yes!" I proceeded to giggle for the next two days. Afterwards, we went to meet with friends, and I realized Mr. Duh had planned a little impromptu engagement party. Everyone knew we were getting engaged, except me! We popped champagne and celebrated all night. It was such a wonderful way to get engaged.

(He had planned on proposing in the restaurant, but felt that the other couple "stole his thunder.")


12. Where did you get married?

We were married in my hometown, Salt Lake City. We were married in a church, and had a huge reception at a place called "The 23rd Floor". It's a reception center on the 23rd floor of one of Salt Lake's tallest buildings.

13. How old were you when you got married?

I was 26 and Mr. Duh was 32.


14. Did he wear his uniform on your wedding day?

He actually wore a tuxedo. Mr. Duh doesn't like being in his uniform any longer than he is required to.


15. Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?

We are at Lackland AFB, TX. Mr. Duh is working at Air Force Basic Training as a Military Training Instructor (aka Drill Sergeant).


16. Do you live on base?

No. We did for a little while after we got here, and now we rent a home off base. I wasn't a fan of living on base.

17. How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?

We were married six months when he deployed.


18. What is your favorite base so far?

I've only been to two, Lackland AFB, TX and Hill AFB, Utah. Naturally, I'm partial to my home state.


19. Do you think your spouse looks good in his uniform?

Oh, goodness! Yes he does! Mr. Duh was made to wear a uniform!  Obviously, all military wives have to love their man in uniform...

20. Do you think military life is more advanced then civilian life?

Advanced? That isn't a word I would use to describe it. More unique? Definitely. More difficult? Sometimes. More complicated? Usually.


21. Do you like the benefits you receive as a military spouse?

Absolutely! The free health care and dental are great! As military families, I think we forget how much insurance, copays and deductibles can cost! Mr. Duh and I always joke that he could have proposed to me with a Tricare Insurance card! I'm also getting two Master's degrees on Mr. Duh's GI Bill. The opportunity to travel is also a great benefit. Military life isn't always easy, but I think the positives outweight the negaties most of the time.


22. Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

Not a lot, but I have three or four military wives that I consider close friends. It's nice to know people who can understand the demands of military life. I love my civilian friends, but sometimes they don't get the lifestyle and demands.

23. What is the hardest part of the military life?

So far, the moving is the hardest for me. Leaving my hometown (everything and everyone I knew) at 28 was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Now, I'm making friends and getting a life set up in San Antonio, and I'll have to leave soon. Not being able to put down roots and constantly saying "Goodbye" is always going to be a challenge for me.

24. Do you own military wife stuff?

Not really. I have one military wife t-shirt that I wear to bed sometimes. If I saw something cute, I wouldn't be opposed to getting more "military wife" stuff.


25. Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?

I support him whole heartedly. I know that he is at his best when I am behind him, helping and encouraging him. Some days, I have to grin and bear it... but I admire and appreciate all that my husband sacrifices for this country. Supporting him makes me feel like I "serve" in my own way.