A Bittersweet Situation

A Bittersweet Situation

October 7th, 2011 @ 5:43 am by Miss Doily
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Hive, I want to apologize for being an absentee blogger. Things have not been hunky dory in the land of Doily. However, things are getting better and I plan on making my blogging return with a vengeance. I promise lots of projects, inspiration posts, and some pretty funny/crazy stories. Right now, though, I have something that I want to share with you. I want you all to meet my brother:

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Image via Brother Doily

There is something really special about my brother.

He’s an amazingly supportive brother—he’s strong, he’s always there when you need him, and never hesitates to help. This just doesn’t go for his personal life; he does it everything single day. I know that I can talk to him about anything and he would never judge me. There was a time that (due to my father’s health issues) I was sure that he was going to walk me down the aisle. He is always one of the first people I imagine when I think of the people who will be with me on my wedding day.

There is something else you should know about him: my brother is a US Soldier. He joined right out of high school and has been serving his country ever since. He has served in Korea and in Iraq. My brother gives his all to supporting his country and serving it in any way possible.

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Image via Brother Doily

I recently received word from my brother that he has new orders for deployment. My brother is leaving for Afghanistan in May for a nine month deployment. And due to the training and preparations that must be done before deploying, my brother will not be attending our wedding. Needless to say that I am extremely sad that my brother will not be there on my big day. But as a sister to a US soldier, I know that sacrifices have to be made in the name of our country. There will be a hole in my heart on my big day because he won’t be there. However, I am eternally grateful and proud of my brother. He truly symbolizes all of the best things about our country.

He is my hero.

Will someone significant be missing from your wedding? Who, and why?

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28 Responses to “A Bittersweet Situation”

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Member

bostonlobster (message) 10 posts, Newbee

Miss Doily- first of all, I want to thank your brother for his service! My heart goes out to you that he won’t be able to attend your wedding. My brother is an officer in the Marine Corp and JUST got back from Afghanistan last week. Our wedding is in Februrary, and we did our best to schedule it around when we thought he would be back and before he is sent on another deployment- but as you know- nothing is ever written in stone with the military. Things change at the last second and while we are still hopeful that the timing will work out, we don’t know for certain that my brother will be able to attend either. I hope that your brother returns to your family safely and quickly! Also- maybe you can think of a way to include him in the wedding, even though he won’t be there physically.

10/7/11 @ 5:56 am (reply)

Member

rlipasek (message) 3 posts, Wannabee

My brother is an Army Ranger. He has orders for deployment to leave in April for a 16 month leave. My wedding is in September, so he may not be attending either. I feel the same way as you as I am honored to be related to him and know that he is a tough, strong person who would do anything for our country. He is a true role model. He said that he would try to get leave to come home around my wedding, but there is no guarentee. Also, as upset as I am that he may not be able to attend, his wife, a good friend of mine, must be feeling much worse as she will not get to see him for such a long period of time.

10/7/11 @ 5:59 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Nachos (message) 1,733 posts, Bumble bee

I’m sad for you that he won’t be there, but he’s a brave man and a hero to us all! 2 of my sisters almost didn’t make it to my reception for vastly different reasons than your brother’s but it still hurt my heart thinking about celebrating without them.

10/7/11 @ 6:12 am (reply)

Guest

gentelly

Aww Doily— I know this feeling well and I am so sorry…I know that ache in your heart you are feeling. My soon to be brother in law is in the Marine Corp and is coming home this month…we originally wanted to get married this fall but not knowing how long his deployment would be, we decided to wait until next summer, since he is leaving the Corp in January. Stay strong and know that your brother IS going to be there with you that day, even if it is just in spirit and he is SO proud of you. Being a part of a military family is such a hard road, and sacrifices are made every day. Thank you, to you and your brother, for making those sacrifices for our country. XO

10/7/11 @ 6:18 am (reply)

Member

Gerbera (message) 4,481 posts, Honey bee

Hey! I just wanted to let you know that my BIL was in Afghanistan last year for 7months. He had to leave his wife and two young girls at home. And now his wife will be leaving for Afghanistan for 6 months as well. I’m still shocked that they are continually shipping people over there. But anyway just want to let you know that he will be fine! I hope that helps a little. We were able to talk to him frequently via Skype and send many care packages. Best wishes to your bro!

10/7/11 @ 6:22 am (reply)

Member

Gerbera (message) 4,481 posts, Honey bee

Do you or anyone you know have a Macbook? Skype your wedding to him!!! We were able to Skype with my BIL during the Superbowl!

10/7/11 @ 6:23 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Porcupine (message) 428 posts, Helper bee

Ugh, that stinks. I am so sorry. I wish him all the best on a safe deployment.

10/7/11 @ 6:25 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Hyena (message) 1,881 posts, Buzzing bee

I’m so sorry that your brother won’t be there to celebrate with you, but I wish him a safe and speedy deployment. I know he’ll be with you in spirit.

10/7/11 @ 6:25 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Aardvark (message) 635 posts, Busy bee

Thanks to your brother and his service! And thank you (and the rest of your family) for supporting him!

Is there any way to set up a web stream and get a little skype time? Even if its just for a few minutes so you can “see” each other on your big day?

10/7/11 @ 6:29 am (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Aardvark (message) 635 posts, Busy bee

@Gerbera, great minds think a like!

10/7/11 @ 6:30 am (reply)

11.

Member

duma0026 (message) 59 posts, Worker bee

My brother is in the military as well and was recently deployed to Kuwait. He won’t be attending our December 10th wedding either…As my only brother, he will DEFINITELY be missed but I’m more proud of him than anything for giving up all he has for his country. The only thing we can do is pray for them and do our best to Skype/web stream with them at our receptions

10/7/11 @ 6:36 am (reply)

12.

Bee

Mrs. Waffle (message) 1,121 posts, Bumble bee

So sorry, Doily. Many thanks to your brother for all that he does to serve our country.

10/7/11 @ 6:41 am (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Doe (message) 540 posts, Busy bee

So sorry Doily. ::hugs:: Thank you to you and your family for the sacrifices you make for our country, and thank you to your brother for being brave and serving our country. It’s soldiers like your brother who make America the great place that it is. Stay strong, darling.

10/7/11 @ 6:51 am (reply)

14.

Bee

Mrs. Pony (message) 4,171 posts, Honey bee

Brother Doily’s service is very admirable, but it is so sad that he won’t be able to attend your wedding. Hoping his training will prepare him for a safe deployment.

Mr. P’s brother is overseas serving our country at the time of our wedding, but we were so fortunate that he was able to take the time off to attend.

10/7/11 @ 6:58 am (reply)

15.

Bee

Ms. Gazelle (message) 994 posts, Busy bee

Doily, I am so sorry your brother won’t be able to make it. I am sure that he wishes he could be there for you, but no doubt you will be in his heart. Thanks to him for supporting his country (and also helping to support others).

10/7/11 @ 7:52 am (reply)

16.

Member

alicia1745 (message) 468 posts, Helper bee

I’m in the same boat as you. My brother also serves in the US Army and will most likely be missing our wedding. Back when I was booking a venue I kept changing my date trying to ensure he would be able to make it.

I’m so sorry your brother is not going to be able to make it- but at least it’s for a good reason =)

10/7/11 @ 7:58 am (reply)

17.

Member

megz03030 (message) 111 posts, Blushing bee

I am sorry he wont be able to attend! FI’s best friend and best man is in the navy. He is like a brother to FI. Right now he is stationed on a boat somewhere in Asia. As of right now he won’t be able to attend our wedding. His immediate command said he won’t likely be able to take leave. He said he is going to go to higher in command to talk about taking leave. FI’s best friend said he would cry if he had to miss the wedding. We have just been getting updates as they come.

10/7/11 @ 7:59 am (reply)

18.

Bee

Miss Ticket (message) 475 posts, Helper bee

I’m so sorry your brother can’t be at your wedding. He sounds like a truly amazing guy to have for a brother and as a protector for our country. My younger cousin (closest to my age and someone I actually wanted to be in our wedding) won’t be able to attend as he is currently serving in Korea. While I’m greatly going to miss having him with us to celebrate, I couldn’t possibly be more proud of him.

10/7/11 @ 8:09 am (reply)

19.

Guest

Kayley

Hugs to you! I almost had to cancel my own wedding due to my deployment (being a bride and a soldier does not always work!) but ended up deploying a month later. Unfortunately, my youngest and older brother were deployed during that time as well. I made sure during the Mass to mention them during the Prayers of the Faithful. The military can be a pain to deal with at times (that as the biggest understatement of the century) but God bless your brother for serving. May he return safely!

10/7/11 @ 8:15 am (reply)

20.

Member

lisaelanna (message) 315 posts, Helper bee

I’m SO sorry that your brother won’t be able to attend. There was a while that I thought it would be a similar story with mine - he just graduated from West Point and they give them a month off after graduation and after that they don’t really know what their schedule will be for the next year. Luckily he was able to stay in New York and help run some of the freshmen training exercises, pushing all of his other training for the Army back so that he would be off for the 2 weeks around my wedding, but there were several months after we finalized the date for the wedding that we just didn’t know. It’s sad that your brother will not be at your wedding, but the reason he won’t be in attendance is also so very honorable. Props to both of you.

10/7/11 @ 10:20 am (reply)

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