Hobbies & The Military Spouse
Hobbies for the military spouse are so important. It can be a form of self-care, a way to refocus energy, and a creative outlet for emotional expression. It can...
When I stumbled upon a box of old letters, written by my grandparents during the war, I was struck by how timeless the emotions within them felt. The letters carried stories of love, worry, and the longing for normalcy amidst the uncertainty of military life. Reading them, I realised something profound — my gran was a "Military Mrs." long before I ever knew what that life entailed.
The parallels between her life and mine suddenly became clear. She went through the same challenges that so many military spouses still face today: the long stretches of separation, the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for news, and the responsibility of keeping life going at home. My gran didn’t have Teams calls or quick text messages to stay connected with her husband; instead, she poured her heart into letters that would take weeks to arrive, never knowing if or when she’d hear back.
The strength of the military spouse
Those letters remind me of the endurance and strength that military spouses have shown for generations. It's easy to think that times have changed so much, but in many ways, they haven’t. Whether you’re sending a letter across an ocean or waiting for a loved one to log into a video call, the emotions of longing and hope are the same.
As a former military spouse, I understand the loneliness and the balancing act of holding everything together back home. My gran found solace in writing those letters, and I found it in my own ways — keeping my kids busy, creating routines, and having hobbies that kept me more grounded.
I believe the story of my grandparents is a reminder that while the tools may change, the heart of being a military spouse remains the same: love, resilience, and the ability to find hope in the smallest of things. Whether it's letters during wartime or daily calls during deployment, these moments of connection are what get us through.
If you’re a military spouse today, I hope you know that you're part of a legacy of strong, resourceful women (and men) who have found ways to keep going, just like my gran did. It's okay to have tough days, and it’s okay to miss your partner fiercely. But remember — the connection you have, even when apart, is powerful and enduring.
Stay in touch with The Military Mrs
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