Navy Salute

As you might assume, life has been a tad crazy for us lately, as we prepare for the "big move" and a new life in Charlotte. Amidst our packing this week, we joyously celebrated Chris's final day as Active Duty Navy. Arriving home from work Monday evening, Chris was all smiles. After four long years at the Naval Academy, followed by six years of dedicated service as a U.S. Naval Officer, God is now leading Chris in a new direction -- an adventure we are only too excited to journey on together.

Through long days and nights out on the ship, to before-dawn mornings and overnight graveyard shifts, Chris has gone about his work faithfully and without complaint, striving to make a difference whenever he saw the need and opportunity.  I am beyond proud of Chris and how hard he has worked throughout his Navy career. He is truly a man of great dedication and honor, and has served his country (and our family!) well. While we look to the future with great anticipation for all that God has in store for us, we will always treasure the moments we shared in this first phase of our marriage, living the Navy life.

On this special occasion, as we mark the end of Chris's Active Duty Naval service, I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures of Chris from his Navy career, beginning with his graduation from the Naval Academy in 2005. How adorable is he? :)

And a few photos from his final deployment where he served as an (extremely handsome) XO/Boarding Officer for PC Crew Charlie in the Middle East. To answer your question, why yes, I feel extremely safe knowing I'm married to this guy! Bad men beware. Chris has moves! ;-)

And finally, one of us together taken last summer in front of his most recent command here in Norfolk.

Due to my scattered brain (moving will do this to you), I completely forgot to snap a photo of him in his uniform on his final day of work -- something I'd planned days in advance that I would do. Sigh. (Yes, I'm that sentimental.) However, in lieu of no Chris-in-uniform photo, I decided I'd still take one of his uniform, captured where Chris had left it that momentous evening.

I admit, after a year and a half of seeing him in this uniform every day, it's going to be a little strange to see him arriving home in normal business wear. What can I say, I do love a man in uniform -- and if I do say so myself, you just don't get any more handsome than my man in uniform. :) However, being the "glass half full" type of person that I am, I do admit that I am rather excited to go to town shopping for a new work wardrobe for him -- watch out Banana and J.Crew, I'm coming.

P.S. More to come on the progress of our move.