Barksdale

We came to Barksdale in September 2007. It seems like it was a lifetime ago and in a way it was. Definitely a different kind of lifetime any way. When we came here, we were fresh off of a 9-month separation. Mark had been on deployment, gone to school and finished up everything in Japan. I had done an early return of dependents and had spent the past 9 months living with my mom and dad. Gavin was my sweet 4.5 year old little boy and Lauren was my curious little 18 month old with a big ol' baby fro on her head. I remember telling Gavin that this wasn't our forever house...we would be moving again when he turned 8.5 and when Lauren was 5.5. At the time, it seemed like 4 years would take a long time to get through. This would be our longest assignment...4 years. Some of our friends equated it to almost a prison sentence. What had we done or who had we pissed off in order to get sent to "Barkatraz"? It's funny--we never thought of it that way...we were happy to be assigned here and 4 years later, I can honestly say that I fell in love here.

It's amazing to see how much we have evolved here. Gavin is growing into a tall, lively almost 9 year old that loves soccer and anything Mario. Lauren is a fiesty and imaginative 5 year old that loves Harry Potter and casting spells. We gained a family member: Abby Dog joined us in 2008. I think she was destined to be a part of our family. She's just as quirky as the rest of us. Our family quickly gelled into an awesomely cohesive unit. We discovered how to make things work as a family and how to confront challenges head on, while keeping things together. Mark and I both decided to change our lives here. We got tired of being just okay and doing just enough to get by. We decided to challenge ourselves and to shake up our routine. We started eating better and we started running. Between the two of us, I think we've run the amount of distance it would take to get from here to California and almost back again. Mark has completed 2 marathons (California Internation Marathon and the USAF Marathon), a 10-mile trail run and several 5Ks. I've completed 2 half marathons (Rock N' Roll San Antonio x 2), 2 full marathons (Mardi Gras Marathon and Rock N' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon) and several 5Ks as well. Life is happier and healthier.

Barksdale taught me many things. It taught me that it's okay to let my guard down. I met so many amazing and incredible people here that I may not have ever met otherwise. It's okay to be involved...okay, I probably overdid it on this one toward the end. But again, I did so many things and met so many great people that I may never have originally. Barksdale taught me patience and forgiveness in many different ways--some ways that I wish I could forget, but never will.

To all of the fabulous people that I have met here at Barksdale and in the Bossier/Shreveport area, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being my friend and for being a part of my life. Thank you for the fun playdates with kids, Bunco nights, BOSC functions and fundraisers, girls nights out, BBQs, coffee dates and for just being there. Every single one of you has impacted my life and I am forever grateful to have you as a friend. Thank you for welcoming and hosting the Roman Family with such gusto and flair for the past 4 years. It is difficult for me to consider any other area beside California home, but you have managed to make me feel as though this is home.

Thankfully, with the advent of email and Facebook (and let's face it--we all know that I am on there WAAAAAY too much), we don't have to say goodbye. Honestly, I don't think my heart could handle goodbyes. Instead, I will leave it at, "Thank you and I'll see you again soon." If you're ever on island, look us up. You're more than welcome at Casa de Roman. Mahalo and laissez les bons temps rouler! :)