He's coming home.... Now what?

So in light of the fact that we are at wartime, more and more of our husbands are being deployed, often and for a long time. There is a lot out there on how to deal with deployment, but what about the end of deployment? The homecoming? the first weeks getting used to one another.

Everyone has a different time line when it comes to deployment. You may start thinking about your husband's redeployment 6 months before he gets home, or not until there is only 2 weeks left. Of course, dates change often and you go through a lot of emotions.

At first you may be excited, just sheer anticipation of your loved one coming home. You may feel worried,you haven't lived with this man for xx amount of months.You may wonder if you are even going to get along! You may also have other things you are anxious about. Your finances are going to change, your roles and responsibilities around the house may change a little or they may change a lot.

When you start to anticipate your husbands homecoming, try to stay positive! If there are children involved, vow to stay on the schedule you have them on right now, they are more likely to adapt when bedtime, chores and rules stay the same or only change a little bit.

It is difficult for one who has not been deployed to understand what your husband has gone through, how he feels and what he wants to share. If he chooses not to share his experiences with you, right away or at all, do not take it personally. Many people recommend giving your spouse as much space as they need. This is particularly hard, seeing as you have waited months and months to see him, but give them time to adjust. You have both grown and changed, and most likely, this deployment has strengthened your marriage.

Don't forget to pray for your family during this transition. Although it can be rough, just remember to hang in there, and don't sweat the small stuff :)