Never Forget.

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I still remember where I was on September 11, 2001. 

I was about 3 months pregnant with my oldest son, asleep in bed. My mom called me and told me to get up and go turn on the TV. I was so very confused as to what I was seeing. And then the second plane hit. Fear set in. My husband, then fiancé, was at work. I called his dad and asked him what this meant for Jake. After all, he was fresh out of MOS training in the U.S. Army. He was in the reserves, but I knew they'd be calling first responders in. In my 20 year old mind, he was leaving any minute and I was scared. 

He didn't leave right away, but he did deploy in 2003. Eighteen long months without him. And again in 2010. Another twelve months without him. 

My family didn't lose a loved one ON September 11, but we still feel the pain of the tragedy. We've lost time together, we've faced fear and uncertainty, and my husband lost army buddies. So many military families share our story. 

We will NEVER forget. 

To my NY friends, when I was in your amazing city a couple of months ago, I couldn't help but get choked up a time or two while walking around, trying to envision the chaos and fear that was on that day. In my mind, I was trying to see what we all saw in those pictures that I'm sure you can never forget. Even 14 years later, my heart is so heavy for this piece of history. Hugs.