I was 8mths pregnant and Hero was leaving me...

We had one child already, Nichole, aged 9 at the time. We were living in Keller, TX. We had just built our first home about a year and a half earlier. We got married on 23MAR2002. Living in Keller was fantastic, with cattle ranches surrounding us, sheep herds, etc. The sunsets were beautiful. Anyhow, Nichole had moved to her third elementary school. I was 8 months pregnant. Hero had decided to join the service after 9-11 because he wanted to do his part. Sitting back and just watching wasn't cutting it. We had both been personal trainers. In fact, that is how we met. He hired me on at the gym he was managing in Bedford, TX. So, Hero left for basic training on, or around 04FEB2004. I can't remember the exact date anymore. This would be my first birthday and Valentine's Day to celebrate without him. Did I mention that he proposed to me on Valentine's Day? Sort of an important date. I was a tad bit emotional being pregnant and all. I had my daughter, Nichole, before XXX and I met, in 1994. My sister-n-law, Beth was my labor partner. She was great too. This proved later to be good for the future. Beth served in the same position again for the birth of our first son, Bobby. He was born on 25FEB2004. I had Hero's picture right there with me the whole time. Hero was not there in person, he was in training five states away. This was my second experience with using the Red Cross to send an urgent message to my husband. My first Red Cross message was a few weeks earlier when his Aunt Sandra passed away. She was diagnosed with cancer and fought a short battle. Hero was close to her. I hated to send him this message this way. A soldier who didn't even know him, woke him up in the middle of the night to give him the news. He called home shortly after. He did not get attend the funeral, nor did I. Back to our son. Hero did get to call us at the hospital pretty quickly. He didn't get to talk long. I was in labor 9 hours. Beth was great, again. My mother and mother-n-law were also there. Hero had to live with just seeing pictures of his first son for two months. Bobby hadn't even placed his eyes on him yet. Later I will talk about their first introduction. I am going back and trying to remember things as best I can. Some things may be a little out of sorts. Mind you, it has been seven years, three more children, and many deployments, or missions. So for now, good-night and God bless.