In the beginning...

In the beginning we were all little girls. We were daughters. Then we were sisters. We then became wives and eventually some of us became mothers.
When we marry, we change. We adapt our lives and ourselves to fit around our husband, our family, our home, our job. We lose sight of who we were when our husbands met and fell in love with us. These changes can sometimes be good, but sometimes can be bad. We can become lost into the whirlwind of changes that encircles us.
There are many days we go through the motions of life. We sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of our families. Being a military family, you sacrifice so much more. As one of my best friends has said, “you become strong because you have no other choice.”
We’ve lost sight of the girl and daughter and sister we once were. We became our husband’s wife. We became Mom. We became the person who puts the kids to bed and folds two more loads of laundry, takes out the dog, picks up toys, prepares things for the next day, email our husband’s goodnight since he’s deployed overseas or in the field or gone to training, and you just want him to know you’re thinking of him. Then exhaustion takes over and we crawl into a cold bed alone.
Before the days of endless tasks, we had ambition and goals set for ourselves. We were an individual. Now, we’ve become the drone on auto-pilot going through the motions of the day to ensure everyone in our family is safe, healthy, and taken care of. Not to mention all the details we must take care of as a military spouse. We take on the role of father when our spouses are not here. We have filled so many shoes that we’ve miss the favorite pair we always wore that have been pushed to the back of the closet.
What more can we do?
This Project is something that I’ve thought about for a long time. Since beginning my photography career, I have finally gotten this rolling. I’m not sure what I’m doing some days, but it’s fun going through the process.
So, here we are. I am founding Operation Me: Project Army Wife. By Shari Shackelford
The goal of the project is to allow real Army Wives a little bit of time to dress themselves up, put on your make up, feel gorgeous. Then, we will have a free mini photo session showing the person you remember yourself to be. It’s a time for you to reconnect with your inner woman. To know that you are gorgeous! You do look amazing (even out of pajamas or sweat pants). You have an inner spark that I want you to show through the pictures. I want to capture that glow and show you that yes…you’re an army wife…but YOU ARE STILL YOU! And you do a spectacular job being you.
Please message me if you would like more information regarding this project.
As for now, the project will be done at Fort Riley Kansas. I will share the progress of the project on this blog.
Keep Strong Army Wives!!! HOOAH!
　
Hugs…
Shari