It goes back to basic training and AIT. In those preliminary phases of becoming a soldier, your drill sergeant demands that you have a battle buddy. Your battle buddy is another soldier for whom you are accountable for and to. If you need to speak to your drill sergeant - your battle buddy goes with you; if you need to visit the TMC - your battle buddy goes with you; if you have to use the latrine - your battle buddy buddy goes with you. Get the picture? They're your right hand, your shadow, they become an extension of you. And such was the case for me and PFC Knapp (bka Jessica).
Jessica was my road dawg; my ride or die; the Eminem to my Dre. Her gorgeous smile and quick wit kept me laughing in some of the most challenging times of my life. My heart broke, at the end of AIT, when we learned that we weren't assigned the same permanent duty station.
I managed to soldier on and settled into my new unit at Fort Riley. I worked with my platoon until my pregnancy with my older son required me to shift from the field to a desk job. As a desk jockey, one of my responsibilities was in-processing new soldiers. It was a pretty uneventful job for the most part, until the day Jessica walked in. I can't even describe how elated I was to see her... to be in-processing her! Turned out that she, too, was expecting and was due a few months before me. We quickly fell right back into our groove as best friends and I even got to witness the birth of her first child! (For the record, she was cracking jokes and laughing all through the delivery. Love that chick!)
Months later, following the birth of my older son, everything changed. I couldn't bear the thought of a long separation from my baby boy and asked to transition from Active Army to Army Reserve. My request was granted, I moved away, and lost touch with Jessica.
Fast forward 12 years and through the magic of Facebook, I was reunited with my battle buddy. By the time I found her, her family had grown to include the addition of 3 more beautiful children. And there, still, was that amazing smile, just as I'd remembered! We started to communicate online and I learned that she was a cancer survivor. Her strength was uncanny! I'd known she was a tough soldier, but this was an enemy like none we'd been trained to fight. Yet there she was, standing victorious, with that dazzling smile!
I wish I could end there, but there was yet another battle for Jessica. In 2012, the cancer resurfaced and again she handled it like a boss, but it took a toll on the family financially. Ever the fighter, Jessica has not let these struggles get her down. I see her holding it together for her family and living life to the fullest. She's not now and never has been a "woe is me" chick. No, she is the epitome of Army Strong, an inspiration to all who know and love her!
In effort to help regain their financial footing, Jessica is hosting a virtual Jamberry party! For the remainder of the day, you have an opportunity to bless someone who's spent so much of her time being a blessing to others. Please take a moment to browse the party catalog and pick up something pretty for yourself or maybe for your mom (Mother's day is around the corner). If you don't like having stunning nails or don't have a mom or any other friends for whom you can purchase, feel free to order some and send them to me (Reminisce Matte, please). All jokes aside, your support is very much appreciated! Jessica and I thank you in advance!
(Top left - Jessica today. Top right - Jessica and I back in 1997)
