A few months ago I experienced something I seriously dislike;
having to tell a friend I couldn’t do fun couple activities, repeatedly, for
several months! Every time this sweet friend and her husband had something fun
in mind, I had to sadly say that the hubby was working. He was working ALL
weekends at the time. And, I am NOT someone who likes to turn down social
engagements…at all!
I don’t necessarily think that my friend thought we were
blowing them off, but I sure felt like we were. So it got me thinking about the
fellow pilot wives out there also trying to maintain some sort of social life
with couple friends.
Everyone and each lifestyle comes with its own challenges to
living the life we want, but how are we supposed to build relationships
(particularly if we move every five or so years because of changing bases) with
couple friends and family-type friends when we have the kiddos, when we are
always flying solo?
I’m grateful for friends who understand, and particularly
those who are fellow pilot wives when no further questioning is needed as she
explains they can’t do dinner tomorrow because her hubby just got done with a 4-day,
has one day home, then leaves for a stand-up. Gross!
There is also the added layer of them being gone all the
time and trying to get them to leave the house. My husband does not want to
leave our home, even to go out to dinner (he would prefer take out) when he is
home. He doesn’t spend that much time in our house anyway, so on the few days
he is home, he isn’t leaving unless it is life or death. Try explaining that to
everyone!
Being comfortable doing things solo is a must when your
husband is gone almost half of the time. Thankfully, there are friends who
understand, don’t mind us being the third, fifth or seventh wheel, and never
leave us out because we aren’t the full package every time.
I’m just grateful I’m past the point where friends and their
significant others thought I was making a man up because he was never around!
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