Two Years Later: Still Raising Heroes

Two years ago, I wrote a piece called “Raising Heroes: The Journey of Parenting a Military Child.” I wrote it with a full heart and lump in my throat—trying to make sense of what it meant to let go and to trust. That story still holds, but life keeps moving, and so does our journey.
Since then, a lot has changed—and a lot hasn’t.
Matt and I now make the trip to Eglin every year. It’s become more than just travel—it’s a ritual of connection. We go not just to see where Matty lives and serves, but to stand beside him in his world for a little while. Each time we visit, I see more clearly the man he’s becoming: focused, honorable, resilient.
Matty has continued his own tradition, too—he still comes home every year for Matt's or my birthday and Christmas. No matter what else is going on, he makes that time sacred. That choice—consistent, full of love and intentional—reminds me that even as the world pulls him in new directions, his roots run deep.
Now a Specialist 4, Matty has stepped into his role with quiet strength. He doesn’t always say much about what he carries, but I see it in his decisions, his posture, and the way he protects what matters. He’s becoming the kind of man any parent would be proud to know, let alone raise.
Being a military mom doesn’t get easier—it just changes. You learn to live in the in-between. To hold longing and pride in the same breath. To celebrate the quiet wins and find meaning in the smallest moments. You learn that parenting doesn't end when they leave home—it deepens in ways you never expected.
There’s still a unique ache in this kind of parenting. There always will be. But there’s also a fierce, glowing pride. A deep knowing that your child is not only surviving—but thriving—in a life of purpose and service.
To those walking this path beside me: I see you. I honor your sacrifices, your strength, and your unwavering love.
To Matty: we are endlessly proud of the man you are and the path you’ve chosen. Thank you for showing us, year after year, what honor really looks like.
And to Matt: thank you for being the kind of father who shows up—with humility, loyalty, and so much love.
We’re still raising heroes. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.