“Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone
Becoming a mother changes absolutely everything. You have created, laughed, cried, struggled, delighted, sacrificed and loved. Add to this the complexities of military life, and you transform into a unique source of resilience, experience, strength and beauty.
Military moms come from all walks of life. You may have planned your baby, been surprised by pregnancy, underwent fertility treatment, struggled with loss, or chose to adopt.
You represent a variety of military branches, but walk similar journeys with shared experiences — and we love you for it.
Today we honor you, the military mom who:
- Experienced pregnancy without your spouse there to support you.
- Delivered your baby without your partner by your side.
- Introduced your baby to your spouse for the first time at homecoming.
- Held down the homefront and assumed the roles of both parents.
- Created a home, again and again, understanding that is a feeling, not a location.
- Sought a village when you were far from your family and your hometown.
- Kept it together when you wanted to break down and cry.
- Experienced periods of immense stress, yet remained strong for your children.
- Felt the sadness of your little ones when you announced that it was time to move again.
- Projected consistency and normalcy in an ever-changing and uncertain lifestyle.
- Made time to play and read one more story before bed, even though exhausted.
- Encouraged optimism and love during periods of sadness and fear.
- Served our country, wore combat boots and savored the moment you could hold your child at the end of the workday.
- Loved your children from afar while you deployed for months at a time. You savored photos, video chats, and you counted the days to your reunion.
- Wondered if your son/daughter would someday, too, join the military.
- Sent your grown child off to war wanting nothing more than his/her safe return.
We are stronger because of you, your love and your sacrifices. For all you are and all you do, we thank you, honor you and appreciate you.
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Jackie Toops
A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” former Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, languages and discovering new ways to express herself. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” former Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, languages and discovering new ways to express herself. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.