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Navy Friends Fill & Break Our Hearts

Well, the Navy did it to our hearts again...and it was worth it.

When you live on Coronado, you are bound to become friends with many of the sailors and Navy families that populate our wonderful community. Usually, we are at some type of social event or local park a nice family. After hitting it off with them, we ask that dreaded question: "So...are you Navy?" When they answer "yes", we mentally play out the relationship and skip to the part when their 'Coronado tour' ends and we lose great friends. We get tempted to hold back and not deepen the relationship, but it's usually impossible to limit the friendship and jump in with both feet. We do this because it's always been worth the heartache. Plus, sometimes they come back.

Let me reiterate my statement - it's worth it.

The most recent heartache has been left by our incredible neighbors Chris and Laura. They lived next door to us for less than a year, but during that time, they adopted our two kids and become fast friends with our family. They were always available to play board games, join water balloon fights, go for ice-cream adventures and just hang out and talk. Chris is in the Navy and was recently called back to Maryland for his next assignment.

Here is a photo of our neighbors Chris and Laura (with our kids) just before they started the long drive out to Annapolis:

Below is one of my favorite photos of the 'neighborhood gang' coming back from Nado Gelato after eating some yummy gelato and picking up some new facial hair on the ride home:

So, it's with a heavy heart that I remind you to keep deepening those Navy relationships. You'll be glad you did.

Thanks for all the great memories Chris and Laura - be safe & come back soon!

Tags: community, navy, people

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Comment by Diane Skiff on July 18, 2010 at 10:50am: As a Navy wife that lived and enjoyed every minute we were stationed in Coronado (for 7 years), I appreciate you feeling like it was worth getting into a deeper relationship with Navy families! And, maybe one day, we will come back!

Comment by L A Brenden on July 18, 2010 at 12:14pm: We totally feel the same way...made great friends with some who have had to move on and hope they make it back here some day since we are never leaving.

Comment by Julie Overstreet on July 18, 2010 at 5:01pm: I love this story! We are one of those families that was stationed here, moved away and now back again. I appreciate you sharing your insight from the other side of the relationship. I guess as military we are used to relationships coming and going but always hopeful for reunions. Thank you for encouraging the friendships. :) I am sure Chris and Laura will always cherish the friendship they made with you.

Comment by Nancy Michaels on July 18, 2010 at 11:09pm: You have made some great memories! Thanks for sharing this touching story of your friendship.

Comment by Rachael on July 19, 2010 at 3:38pm: Loved reading the article about your fabulous neighbors - how wonderful that they were part of your lives before they began yet another chapter in theirs... Being a Navy family that has just moved back to Coronado, we are having some of the same feelings - hard to create a big Coronado network when our time here is so limited. The Johnson family and our family became fast friends years and years ago. Over the years, they have supported us in more ways than I could ever ever thank them for. They have taken care of our kids, helped us pack and move several times, made us breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, mailed packages, run errands, and house hunted for us, not to mention provided the most sympathetic listening ear ever when deployments cropped up out of nowhere.. We truly couldn't have survived without them. They have taken me under their wing the millions of times my husband has been away, despite all that they have going in their own lives. They have willingly and happily created a deep friendship with our Navy family and all the crazy that comes with it. We were heartbroken to leave way back when, but have now returned years later to live only blocks away. Coronadans like the Johnsons are what make this town such an incredible place to call home... Thank you Steve and Lisa and all of the other Coronado families who do so much for their military friends and families!

Comment by Chris Hilliard on November 23, 2010 at 12:15pm: Steve, I don't know how we ever missed this article, but thank you so much. We really do miss Coronado, our friends, and definitely your family. Maryland is treating us well, but 908 H will always have a special place in our hearts.

Being in the Navy, we do receive a lot of support and thanks. But I've learned to always appreciate those that support us just as much. A big THANK YOU is certainly in order, because even if you haven't served, supporting our sailors and troops is just as important.

Thank you again, and we hope to make our way back to Sunny Coronado soon!

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