Aside from Nicole's big moment, I didn't exactly pay close attention to the Days of '47 parade. We were having far too many fun conversations on the sidelines! So I sat there, just mindlessly clapping politely as I focused all of my attention on our own personal sideshow instead. Then suddenly, as our rival high school's marching band passed by, I found myself standing and clapping along enthusiastically. No one else, just me. Why on earth am I standing up right now?, I wondered to myself. I probably wouldn't be all gung-ho for my own high school's marching band; let alone our rival's. Yet there I stood, subconsciously acting as their #1 fan. The whole situation had me rather perplexed.
That is, until I heard myself sing along: "We live in fame or go down in flame - hey! - Nothing can stop the US Air Force!" (Complete with a fist pump to accompany the "hey!" of course.) And then it all made sense. They were playing the Armed Forces Salute medley, and I instinctively did what I always do when I hear the Air Force fight song--stand and cheer! Apparently, years of being a Falcon football player's fiancee taught me well.
That situation got me thinking about other instincts I've developed as a military girlfriend/fiance/spouse. Like the way I almost always reach for Matt's arm rather than his hand--whether he's in his uniform or not. (Zero hand holding is allowed in uniform, so they "escort" their ladies like so. Matt always corrects me when he's out of uniform, though, and I'm glad! I love holding his hand.)
Or the way I pull my car over or stop dead in my tracks every day at 4:30 p.m. for our national anthem, which is played over every loud speaker on the Air Force base at 1630 on the dot. And how about the way I use military acronyms as a part of regular speech? Phrases like USAFA, AFB, LES, BAH, MPF, DOD, AAFES, CTF, BAS, AFSC, CGO, ASBC, TPS, BX, AFIT, SOS, NAF and USO are just as normal as the word "and" around here.
Which reminds me: Matt (my 2Lt) is going TDY for NASA next week to teach FTEs about AGCAS, and I have a fun little project planned for while he's gone. Wish me luck!
Okay your blog is adorable. And you and your Airman are beautiful. And I'm now following :)
ReplyDeleteYou are too cute!! I forgot about you not getting to hold Matt's hand at the Academy. With all of the Air Force acronyms,the church's acronyms and texting you will never need the English language again. BTW,love you both but you are both slightly in trouble for not agreeing with me last night :-).
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were also a fellow AF spouse :) BTW you are VERY lucky to have seen your man in blues :) I haven't seen mine in full dress yet and we've been together for 2 years :)
ReplyDeleteHUA love :)
So cute! I love you guys! I LOVE the arm holding thing too.
ReplyDeleteHaha! This post made me laugh! Reminded me of when we first moved back state side from living overseas all my life. And you get soo used to the Acronyms that it takes awhile to remember what they actually stand for.
ReplyDeleteYou are adorable Ashley and such an incredible military wife!!! :) I love you!
ReplyDeleteHow cute! Haha, the escort thing reminds me of EFY... hahaha. Yeah, I'm cool like that. And you totally lost me with those acronyms. But I can't wait to see your fun project! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog Ashley and I love that you speak the military speak so well. I'm sure Matt will have a blast at NASA. I can't wait to see your secret project. =)
ReplyDeleteYou lost me on your acronyms..but that is was a fun post to read. oh, you know your in trouble when your mom is posting...:)! Good luck with that.!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, perhaps I should have added a translation for that last sentence: Matt is going on a business trip for NASA next week to teach a bunch of smarty pants about the project he's working on :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd Nina- you're so right! We definitely get way too used to the acronyms themselves. Just the other day, someone asked us what ASBC meant and we looked at each other blankly for a second before it clicked. "You know, it means ASBC! ... Oh, yeah, that actually stands for something ... Air and Space Basic Course. That's it."
Don't worry. I understand completely. It's just so much easier using acronyms that I don't know why you'd ever say the entire thing (up until you're using acronyms that have multiple meanings. :)
ReplyDelete