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We believe stories are important - they connect us with other women who share similar experiences and help us feel as if we're not alone when life throws us a curveball. And as a military spouse - owned company, we believe in the power of sharing stories of fellow military spouses. The military spouse community is a unique sisterhood - they show strength with every relocation, deployment, and lost job; they’re resilient - making a new home and forming new friendships at each duty station; and they are fiercely devoted to the family and military hero they love. Despite the uncertainty and sacrifice that military life brings, military spouses face each new challenge with grace and bravery. At Charliemadison Originals, we're celebrating our sisterhood of military spouses through our Meet a Milspouse series - sharing one story at a time and giving you a glimpse inside their world.
GIVE US A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY – HOW DID YOU BECOME A MILITARY SPOUSE (MILSPOUSE)? WHAT DO YOU DO IN ADDITION TO BEING A MILSPOUSE? AND A FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR MILITARY FAMILY?
I became a military spouse in 2009 after meeting my husband on a dating website in 2007. Three months after getting married, we PCSed to San Antonio, Texas. The natural next step for us after getting married was to have children, but we soon discovered that we are unable to have children without medical intervention. Thankfully, there was a military fertility clinic at Wilford Hall that we were accepted into. After two rounds of IVF, we were able to successfully get pregnant with our first son. We later had another son with embryos we had frozen.
But because of this experience, it opened my eyes to see that there must be other military families that often feel that they don’t belong or don’t look like the “typical” military family. We didn’t fit in with the young, single military members and we didn’t fit in with the military families when we were struggling to get pregnant. So in 2016, I started a podcast to let other military families know that even though they feel alone they’re not and they belong here. I’m also a middle school language arts teacher but recently stopped teaching to support my family at home more.
WHICH MILITARY BRANCH DOES YOUR SPOUSE SERVE IN AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS HAS HE SERVED?
Aaron serves in the Air Force and has been in for 14 years.
WHERE HAS THE MILITARY MOVED YOUR FAMILY OVER THE YEARS? WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE DUTY STATION AND WHY?
We have been stationed at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, TX, Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM (twice), Patrick AFB in Melbourne, FL area, and now at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington D.C. I have loved each in their own special way, but Patrick AFB was my favorite since we lived right by the beach!!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MILITARY SPOUSE? TELL US SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED OR HAS MADE YOU STRONGER BECAUSE YOU ARE A MILSPOUSE?
I love meeting so many new people and getting to see things from others’ perspective and world views.
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
Moms inspire me because if you want something done, you need to ask a Mom. They know what to do and how to do it.
WHICH CHARLIEMADISON EVERYDAY REMINDER DO YOU WEAR ON YOUR WRIST AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR BRACELET?
I love the Be Unapologetically You Bracelet. I love the concept behind it and love the message. No one should be afraid to share who they are and be proud of themselves. Everyone is unique and has strengths and everyone can be celebrated for something.
Be Unapologetically You Mini Bracelet | Blush
WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS MOST, DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTY, FREQUENT MOVES, AND DEPLOYMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH BEING A MILITARY FAMILY?
I like to join Facebook groups first to get to know the area before we move. Then I will get involved with my kids’ schools to support the needs of the school. I will also start volunteering my time with local groups as time allows.
WE HAPPEN TO BE QUOTE LOVERS AROUND HERE – CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE QUOTE THAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED?
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou