It’s hard to believe this is my last military spouse column. My husband receives his bulldog stamp this Wednesday and will be honorably discharged after 3 1/2 years of service. These last few years have been a wonderful, terrifying, challenging and fulfilling adventure. While I’m not sad to be moving onto something new, I’m very grateful for all the opportunities the Army has given us over the years.

It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives as a military spouse — rules and regulations, deployments and a transient lifestyle. Now that we’re transitioning out of the Army, it’s easier to look back on the many opportunities the Army has given us.

After all, without the military we probably would never have found this magnificent place that has become our home. Army or not, we’re sticking around. We’ve decided to brave the unknown and find a way to make life work here in Coastal Georgia.

I’ve said before how we’ve fallen in love with the community here, and I meant it. That being said, I’m sure it will be an entirely new experience living here by choice and not by military orders. It’s a new experience I’m personally quite excited about.

Of course, we’re not the only ones in this boat. Since the military is downsizing, many families are facing entering the unknown. Some will move back to their hometowns and hope to use their connections with friends and family to secure a job. Others will be headed to school to use their G.I. Bill. It’s a scary time for a lot of people in the military right now, but it’s an exciting time, too. It’s been a wonderful three years, despite all the chaos that comes with a military lifestyle, but we’re ready for what God has planned for us next.

As far as the column goes, I’ll still be writing. Obviously, I’m no longer a military spouse, so I plan to start exploring this community we’ve chosen for our home and all the amazing things it has to offer.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mckennajbb@gmail.com. Thanks for allowing me the privilege of your readership the past few years.