Pilot

Did you know? I'm married to a pilot. Not just any pilot - a military pilot. He wears his wings on his chest everyday he is in uniform. (And that is so handsome. Really. It's stunning). 

It's true! Greg graduated from Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training on Friday. There was fanfare, there were pictures - but for just a moment, try to imagine this picture:

Twenty-five men in their dress blues,parading into the auditorium at almost a triple step. Standing to attention, saluting the American flag, twinkles in their eyes, knowing how far they have come the adventure that they have in store. 

We lucked out had an a terrific speaker, a lieutenant general who spoke from the heart about what he has learned about being an officer, a pilot, and a person in the Air Force in the last 30 years. He spoke candidly, and frankly, and even got a few chuckles. He noted how he wanted to speak longer just so the ceremony would drag on a bit - allowing all of us to savor this occasion. 

And then, the squadron commander announced that the winging would proceed. Nate audibly shouted Hooray! much to the delight of the families around us. And me too. Really, we were all shouting hooray. One by one, Greg's classmates were introduced, congratulated, and pinned with wings.

I had the honour of pinning Greg's wings on.

Greg's wings are special: they were his grandfather's wings from World War II. The are real sterling. With a real pin on the back (not a magnet). They are heavy, and tug at his uniform a bit if they are not centered and pinned on just right. 

This new pilot we have is carrying on a family legacy both of flying the skies, but also of serving in the Air Force.

Nate was so desperate to see Greg that with every person that was tall,  with a close-cut haircut, (you can imagine that doesn't narrow the field much) he shouted out "Daddy!" Truly,his dad is his hero. And I love that about those two.

Pictures to come - but I'm still letting the mental images of tradition, of ceremony, of pure joy capitalize in my mind. You should too.