When my husband joined the Air Force, I knew life was about to change. But I had no idea just how much. Leaving home meant leaving behind the comfort of family, familiar surroundings, and the routines I had always known. It also meant stepping into a world where I would need to adapt quickly, meet new people, and handle challenges without the immediate safety net of those I had relied on all my life.

At the time, I was still very much Sandy, the young woman who could be anxious and unsure of herself, who often relied on others for direction. I loved my husband deeply, and we were a team, but I did not yet see myself as someone who could stand strong on her own if necessary. That would change over the years we spent moving from place to place with the Air Force.

Military life taught me lessons that would shape the rest of my life. One of the first was adaptability. Every new base meant new surroundings, new faces, and new routines. At first, that was intimidating. But as time went on, I realized I could adjust. I learned to make a home wherever we were, to find community, and to handle the unexpected without falling apart.

Another lesson was independence. There were times when my husband’s duties kept him away for long hours or required him to travel. In those moments, I had to manage everything at home on my own. I learned to solve problems, make decisions, and trust my judgment. These experiences showed me that I was more capable than I had ever believed.

I also grew socially as the Air Force community included people from many different backgrounds, and I met strong, resourceful, and welcoming women. They became examples for me of how to handle life’s challenges with grace. Over time, I found myself opening up more, speaking with confidence, and taking part in events I would have once avoided.

By the time my husband’s service ended and we returned to Idalou in 1974, I was not the same woman who had left five years earlier. The shy, hesitant Sandy was still there, but she had been joined by Alexandra—the version of me who could operate independently, take charge when needed, and learn to trust her own abilities.

That transformation did not mean I no longer needed my husband or wanted our partnership. We were still a team, and we both valued that deeply. But now, if the situation called for it, I knew I could stand on my own two feet and handle whatever came my way.

Military life gave me the tools to face life with confidence. It prepared me for the challenges I would later take on as a business owner and as a woman determined to grow beyond her fears.

Looking back, I see that leaving home was the first step in finding myself. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and into experiences that revealed a stronger, more capable version of me. That journey is one of the central themes in my book“Releasing Alexandra,” and I believe it is a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever had to step into the unknown and discover what they are truly made of.

If you want to read a memoir about how life’s challenges can lead to self-discovery, I recommend my book Releasing Alexandra, written by me, Sandra, and my loving and supportive husband, Lee J. Everitt. It reminds us that sometimes we have to leave what is familiar to uncover the best parts of ourselves.

Here is a link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1967109621.