My German ride

When we found out over a year ago that Mitchman would be taking command in Germany, we were torn over what to do. First of all we were shocked. Mitchman did not expect to get selected to command the 1-4 IN in Hohenfels, Germany; I don't think it was even on his preference list. In fact when I think about the hours we pored over the choices the Army sent him prior to the Command Board, how we carefully ranked each one in the order we wanted, it makes me feel so foolish. I should have learned a long time ago that if we wanted "choices" in life, then we were barking up the wrong tree. The Army tells us what we do, and our choices are usually two: Take It or Leave It. And honestly, "Leave It" may be a choice, but it's not an option.

Yep the Army may have given my husband a command that was not on his (my) preference sheet, but, as we have been told by many, it is an honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and blah blah blah. I have come to learn that even when things take us by surprise, even when those surprises are unwelcome and they make me stomp my feet and cry and throw thing across the room while repeatedly screaming, "WHY ME?!" at the top of my lungs, they usually end up being the best experiences we could have hoped for. (Similar past examples: When I found out we were moving to Hawaii; or when I discovered I was pregnant the third time.) No matter how much we want to wallow and drink heavily when things don't go according to our plans, we must have faith that God's plan is always perfect.

Needless to say after several months of being extremely bitchy and difficult and spewing my toxic negativity all over Facebook, I finally took a new approach. If I'm doing this for my husband, then what can my husband do for me? I've given him my love, my life. My undying support and loyalty. I've given up many opportunities for pursuing my own fulfilling career, for stability, for a life with "choices." I've had to move often, leaving behind homes I have loved, amazing friends, and good hairstylists. So, with that said, I think I at least deserve a BMW. Marriage is all about give and take. And hell, if I'm moving to Germany where it's cold and snowy with no palm-tree-lined beaches, there'd better be a silver lining.

Mitchman called me Saturday from Germany. He said, "I just took your BMW for a test drive. It purrs at 160 kilometers per hour on the Autobahn." Unfortunately I don't know how to convert kilometers to miles just yet, but I'm pretty sure that means my new/used car is fast and furious. Okay, maybe not "furious," but this definitely marks the beginning of a new era in my life. 

Auf Widersehen minivan. Hallooooooo beemer.