I’ve been married to my husband for almost nine years now. In those nine short years, we have lived in five states and eight houses. On average, we have stayed at each duty station for around two years. That’s a lot of moving, friends.

Of course, I’m preaching to the choir here, right?

At each duty station, I’ve tried to plant myself firmly and enjoy the time I have there. Inevitably, after the first year passes, my mind starts the countdown to the next move. I spend my time that last year thinking, “I can’t commit to this or make new friends because I’ll be leaving soon.”

Soon is a relative term in a military family.

I recently heard a new approach to our nomadic way of life in the military. When you arrive at a new base, tell yourself that it’s permanent. Settle in, build relationships and learn the area as if you were going to spend the rest of your life there. It’s the only way to really form roots and relationships without feeling like everything in your life is just temporary until your spouse retires.

I’m learning to change my way of thinking with this new approach. We are currently in that final year stretch when I’d normally be counting down and checking out. Instead, I’m holding on and looking at this place as home. When we move on, I’ll have gained friendships that are lasting and experiences that weren’t obstructed by imaginary timelines.

At our next duty station, I’ll call it home and start all over again.

The next time you are asked the inevitable question, “How long will you be here?”, let your answer be an emphatic, “Forever!”

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Heather can also be found Running From the Little People and trying to go From Grey to Green.

Photo Credit: John Anderson – Fotolia.com