In 2011, Lindsay Hall married the man of her dreams. The only downside in her otherwise perfect marriage, is that she and her husband Tyler are forced to spend long periods of time apart when he is deployed. Tyler is a Staff Sergeant in the Artillery. His last deployment was to Afghanistan, which saw him leave at the end of October last year and return home at the end of May this year.
While being a Marine wife does have it’s obvious drawbacks, Lindsay says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It seems like he is gone more than he is home,” she tells us. “But it’s a pretty spectacular job to be a Marine wife, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am so incredible proud of my husband.”
Here is our insightful interview with her…
Celebzter: How long have you been married?
Lindsay: Tyler and I got married at Lake Tahoe in September of 2011. We have been together for over three years.
Celebzter: Do you have children?
LIndsay: We do not have children…yet! We hope to be blessed with a couple one day.
Celebzter: When did your husband first join the United States Marine Corps?
LIndsay: Tyler joined the USMC in July 2003.
Celebzter: What is his role in it?
Lindsay: Tyler is in Artillery. He is a Staff Sergeant.
Celebzter: When was his first trip? And how long was it for?
Lindsay: Tyler has been to Iraq twice, once in 2004, the second time in 2006, and this last deployment he was in Afghanistan. Each tour he was gone for 7- 9 months.
Celebzter: How would you communicate?
LIndsay: Tyler was able to call me via satellite phone, and we could easily send each other emails.
Celebzter: And his most recent one was for 7 months in Afghanistan?
LIndsay: Yes, his most recent tour was to Afghanistan, and he left at the end of October and returned the end of May.
Celebzter: How do you keep everything together when he’s not around? It must be difficult on you as all the responsibilities shift onto your shoulders?
Lindsay: Tyler is my rock. I am kind of a lunatic when it comes to things that I can’t control. All the day-to-day tasks that Tyler normally took care of were on my shoulders, everything from finances, vehicle maintenance, taking our 2-year-old lab to the vet, ect. It was really hard to get used to at first, and as hard as it to say that I got used to it…because I firmly believe no person can every fully get used to be worlds away from their significant other, it did get easier with time.
Plus, I had my family to help me. Of course there were times when all I wanted to do was break down, but I had to think of Tyler…everything he gave up, all the sacrifices he was making for me, you, and everyone here it snapped me back to reality. He had a job to do in Afghanistan and I had a job to do back here, and that was to hold it all together.
Celebzter: How do you find the strength to get through those long stretches without him?
Lindsay: The hardest thing I have ever done was stay behind while Tyler proudly left to serve his country. Although he disagrees, I felt that I had no right to feel bad for myself, or feel like I had it rough because the thought of being over there doing what Tyler and all those other men and women do everyday humbled me, and makes me so proud even to this day. Mostly I kept busy, filling my time with family, and friends. I took advantage of being home in Minnesota (where I am from).
Celebzter: is there a readjustment period when he first gets back?
LIndsay: Everyone always said that when Tyler would get back, we would have to get used to each other again. Little things like, share the remote, compromise of what to have for dinner, which movie to go to, etc. I mentally prepared myself for that, but when Tyler got home and ever since, it was like he never even left. We picked up right where we left off, like the past 7 months were just a bad dream that we both woke up from and went on with our day. It sounds silly, and unrealistic, but that’s exactly how it was!
Celebzter: What is the first thing you do as a couple upon his return? Do you cook him a special meal, or go to a special place?
LIndsay: The day Tyler came home from Afghanistan I took him home, where Echo, our dog met us, or more so him with open arms! I wish I would have recorded that moment when they were reunited. We went straight to the lake where Echo could swim and we could all hike. That’s what we did the day he left too. We love being outside, doing anything and everything active! We are still crossing off places to eat and places to go off our list.
Celebzter: What is the hardest thing about being a wife of someone who serves their country?
LIndsay: The time apart from each other is by far the hardest part about being a Marine wife. Between field ops that can last from 4-8 weeks, and deployments, it seems like he is gone more than he is home.
LIndsay: Be patient, whether your service member is home with you or worlds away. Know that he is always thinking of you, even when the days seem long and hard. And enjoy every moment of every day that you are together, because they know as well as I do that at a moment’s notice he could be gone, and only Lord knows how long. I stumbled upon this about 6 months ago while I was going through this deployment and read it every day!
“Dear Lord, before I close my eyes to sleep, I pray thee, Lord, his soul to keep. Keep him here, safe and sound. Keep his boots on American grounds. Allow him trips to go back home. Give us time for our love to grow. But when the day comes, and we’re oceans a part, give him peace to calm his heart, give him sleep to ease his soul, and keep his eye on the goal. Show him miracles throughout each day, so he knows that I am continuing to pray. Surround him with angels and watch over his bed. Keep him safe so his blood isn’t shed. Give him the strength to survive each day, knowing your grace is never far away. Provide him with memories of me by his side, so he never once doubts that I remain SEMPER FI. You see, Lord, this Marine is my friend, my love, my life… and I pray for the day that he calls me his wife. I know he must first serve your purpose, so I sit and patiently wait… But if something happened to him let him enter your gates, because you see.. God, he is a selfless and sacrificing man, he’s already given so much for the people of this land. My lips he cannot kiss, and my arms he cannot embrace, he sleeps alone in his rack in a bare and confined place. He’s missed his mom’s cooking and the hugs from his nephews too, this is why he is part of “THE PROUD AND THE FEW.” So please reserve his pass, tell Peter to let him in, he’s already gone though hell, don’t make him go again… But please don’t take him from me yet, Iraq and heaven can wait, I need to grow old with him, I want to join him at the gates. Can’t you see dear Lord? As true as it already seems, I can’t live my life… Not without my Marine. AMEN!!!”
What do you think?