First of Many Farewells to Germany

I've lived in Germany for 8.5 years.
Never thought that'd happen.
I dropped out of college and joined the Air Force 9 years ago.
Never thought that would happen either.
I always had expectations of myself. I thought as a child that I would stay in my home state of Maryland and work in a inner city school, helping underprivileged children gain a better education. I always had in my mind that I was going to make a big impact on the world. Pretty ambitious, huh?
Do I think that's in the cards for me now? I don't know. I'd like to hope so. Let's get to the point.
My point is, life throws curve balls constantly. We are currently awaiting notice of where the hell we be for the next four years. This wait is stressful and annoying.
What makes this wait less annoying is the fact that I live in Germany. Meaning, while I wait there is so much exploring and soaking in all the things I love about living in Germany. Whenever I go back to the states, what stands out the most is what I love about Germany. I love the US, but as a military spouse living in Germany, there are so many opportunities for me to live out my dreams. From being a stay-at-home and going to school, to being able to go to a different country at least once a month!
I am going to miss living here. I grew up here you can say.
I arrived here Friday, August 13, 2004. I lost my debit card that day and was broke for the first week and a half of my arrival due to lack debit card! LOL.
I partied too much, was the other woman, befriended the other woman, got my heartbroken a couple times, saw the great and others, and saw the the worst in others but mostly myself, had a baby, found a great group of people who are my friends for ever and met and fell in true love with my now husband. There is a lot more, but my mother reads my blog now. All of that in my first 2 years living here. That's why I can say I grew up here. I experienced a lot in a condensed time.
Never thought I would lead the life of a Maury Povich guest all in my first two years living in Germany. I look back at those days often with a lot of coulda shoulda wouldas but I am not pressed over that.
So I am thankful for the many bad times that plagued my first few years in beautiful Germany. This is the first of a few farewells.
Fortunately I do not have any pictures on hand of that time. And if any of you do, please do not share LOL. Unless it's a cute picture :-)
I tried to access my other photos but my photobucket account isn't working.