BMT Graduation

The days went by slow but the weeks seemed to go fast. 8 1/2 weeks later I got to go to San Antonio Texas to see Ryan graduate from Basic training! It was an awesome and hard weekend! Thursday morning started off with the Airmen's run. I stared bawling when Ryan ran by! It was SO great so see him even if he was just running past! I'm a silly girl. Then we got to wait around until 11 for the coin ceremony. Ryan's flight was the first to march out. They looked so good! I got lucky Ryan was right in the front. After some speeches and passing out coins they retired the flag and we could go "tap out" our Airmen, which means in order for them to be released someone had to hug them. I was pretty excited for this moment since I found out what it was. But when the time actually came to tap out I froze! I froze!! I couldn't believe it! I knew where Ryan was I went over to him, then I wasn't quite sure it was him so I looked at the name on his ABU "Nelson" I looked at him again it was him. He was just standing in formation looking straight ahead. I didn't know what to do! I'm not even quite sure what really happened or how it happened, but then I was hugging Ryan! So many emotions all piled into one trying to get out at the same time, apparently I can't handle it! I missed him so much and was so excited, anxious, nervous to see him and Proud of him, and also afraid to get in trouble! Thursday we had to stay on base. We got some patches sewn on his uniforms and wandered around. I just wanted to reach out and touch him to make sure he was real, but I couldn't, I think that was the hardest part.

We saw all the different planes and walked around the "BX" their version of a store or mall, really not very much is on base. But was just nice to be with him.

At 8 pm Ryan had to be back to his dorm and I got to go back to my lonely hotel room! I was pretty exhausted!I didn't get to my hotel wednesday night until 1am and was up at 4 to get ready and be at base by 6! The line to get onto base was long and we had an orientation at 7:15! Nights were the hardest, knowing Ryan was so close but I couldn't see him. I pretty much cried every night. Cried because I was happy I got to see Ryan and got to see him the next day and cried because I still was alone. A really good hard weekend. Friday was the graduation parade. When he actually graduated I'm not sure. Thursday he went from being an Airmen Basic to an Airman, so I thought that was the graduation but people said it was Friday...Friday was a lot of pomp and circumstance! No offense to the Air Force. It was a little chilly and windy and we were sitting on hard bleachers. Once again we all got there plenty early so we could get a "good" seat! Basically they marched from the opposite side of the field to where they lined up. Clear out in the field, you couldn't even see who was who without binoculars, which I did have, but I didn't get any really good pictures. Then someone had to run and tell someone everyone was present and accounted for, then run back. Then other people marched out....it was a lot of marching around in the field a long way away. Finally they marched in, It took awhile, and marched passed the audience. Then they stood close by said the Airmen's creed and a few other things and we got to tap them out again. This time I knew what to do!

After all that was over we took our shuttles back over to the dorms and got a tour of where Ryan lived for 2 months. Pretty exciting. It smelled like boys. But it was all nice and organized! They were trained well to make their beds, keep their shoes lined up straight under them, and keep their drawers organized. They were very specific about how things were folded and everything.

Ryan was the bottom bunk. He loved the community showers!! After the tour of the dorms we got to leave base for the day! We didn't really do too much. Tried to stay low key and Ryan was basically exhausted so walking around in the sun didn't sound too fun to him. Lights out were supposedly at 9,but it seems like Ryan was always up later than that and they were up at 4 am. Some nights they had patrol duty for 2 hours throughout the night too. Saturday we got the whole day together! We walked around the Alamo and the River walk. We went and saw The Lucky One, ate some good food, hung out by the pool and wend to a Rampage hockey game. It was actually pretty fun! We were on the third row, right in all the action. Plus Ryan got to stay out until 11 instead of 8! I would have gone to any sporting event no matter what it was to have a little bit longer with him!

Because Ryan went to church I got to go to church with him which also ment I got to see him an hour earlier on Sunday! Like I said I will take anything! It was a strange meeting. We just had sacrament meeting, the sacrament and one speaker, fine with me! Sunday we had to stay on base all day again which ment nothing to do and nowhere to really hang out and relax so we went golfing. Well Ryan golfed and I watched and read a book! Just like at home. Because golf is a physical activity Ryan had to wear his PT clothes.

I had to return Ryan to his dorm by 6pm. It sucked!! It really really really sucked! Even writing about it now makes me cry. It was the best and worst weekend. I am so proud of Ryan! He has worked so hard. It was funny to watch him over the weekend; he stood so straight and if we were just standing in a line or something his hands were always behind his back. He called everyone sir and mam. And he looks dang good in his blues! I couldn't keep my eyes off him (we'll leave it at that!) ;) Monday morning very early Ryan got ready and left for Tech school in California. He is studying mechanics, I guess general vehicle mechanics. He is at a Naval base in Port Hueneme CA. 4 more months...sounds and feels like forever! At least I get to talk to him everyday now. That makes things so much better. It still sucks just not quite as much! I have to say Thank you to everyone who has been there for me these last few months. My family has been truly amazing. I was in my first semester of nursing school which was really busy and they came and helped me pack up my house, literally box things up because I didn't have time and move me into my Grandma's. I seriously would have died without them! And my friends, friends I've had and new friends. Sorry for all my craziness but thanks for putting up with me. Thanks for all your prayers and support for both Ryan and I. We are truly blessed! What can I say I love this man.