#tbt....trying something new

I'm going to try something new for this little ole blog of mine. I am going to start participating in the "throwback Thursday".

Pretty much I am going to post an old picture and a little bit of writing about the picture. I am going to attempt this everything Thursday. Let's just taking bets on how long I will actually keep this up.

So here is my first #tbt

This picture was taken late October 1998. I was a new 18. Blah. Seems so long ago.

I joined the Army Reserves because I knew I was graduating high school soon and I wasn't going to college and I just wasn't sure where my life was headed. Also I wanted to get out of my parents house. HAHA...what 17 year old doesn't want out of their parents home?? So I sat there and thought and thought and thought. The military was a perfect fit. It gave me a home, food and money in my pocket.

So I graduated highschool (barely) in June 1998. I turned 18 in early August and left for basic training mid August.

I spent 8 weeks in Fort Leonardwood, MO. Interesting place....ummm, not. It was really great actually. I learned a ton of new skills. I learned alot about life in general. It was just the kick in the ass I really needed at that point in my life.

Well, graduation was coming up and I was pretty bummed. I heard almost everyone around me talking about their friends and relatives coming in to see them graduate. I knew my mom and siblings would not come (too far, too expensive) and my grandparents weren't sure yet.

I could not have been more excited when they told me they were coming to see my graduate.

My grandma and grandpa drove 12 hours to the middle of no where. They came to all my graduation festivities, took me and some friends bowling and then to Burger King. It was a really great weekend.

It was also a great weekend for me to get homesick. The picture above was taken about 5 minutes before my grandparents left to go back home. I remember we took this picture then I walked with them back over to the car. I asked if they could just put me in the trunk and take me back home PLEASE. And then I started crying. Pretty hard. Of course my grandma and grandpa said "NO". We hugged, said our goodbyes and they were on their way.

I still remember that day so vividly. I had never felt more accomplished because I had just finished basic training. I also never felt more sad because my grandparents left and I was off to Ft. Sam Houston, TX in a few hours.

So there ya have it. There is the story behind the picture. One of my most favorite pictures.