Meet Alana: The Founder of MilSpouse Tribe

As we are kicking off this blog, I wanted to take a minute and introduce myself. As I sit here and think of all that I have been through, I realize I could probably write a short novel, but I will try to keep it just to the highlights. I have been an Air Force wife for almost 15 years (This coming July), I did one term enlistment in the Air Force (I joined 5 years into our marriage), we have an amazing and spunky 7 year old girl, we have been stationed at 4 duty stations, are currently trudging through our 2nd deployment. I own my own business where I teach people about natural health using essential oils, and we are a Full Time RV family living in a 5th Wheel.

When I met my husband (back in high school) we knew it was a forever kind of thing. We were planning our futures together, but I had no idea that the military was going to be a part of it. He kind of sprung this on me out of the blue.

"Hey hun, so I quit college and enlisted in the Air Force."

Well if you know me at all, you would know that I didn't exactly handle that well. We decided that that either a break up or an engagement needed to happen. So the night of my senior prom he proposed. We went to dinner and took a walk down by a waterfall and he got down on one knee.

As you can imagine how any mother of an 18 year old high school student would react, she was thrilled.........if looks could kill. Its funny because at that point in my life, I was so sure of what we were doing. But now as a mom myself to a little girl, I have a much different perspective. But almost 15 years later from the proposal, we are proving all the doubters wrong.

5 Years into our marriage, I decided to join the military. I have always had a passion for health and to help people. The military seemed like the perfect place to do it in. I worked mostly Labor and Delivery and that was an amazing job! That was one of the best decisions of my life. I met so many amazing people and grew so much. I thought that would always be my path. God had much different plans for me. I definitely have learned that His plans are always the best plans.

Shortly after Kyle got home from his first deployment we got pregnant with our daughter, Ella. That was a big turning point for me too. At that point, I decided that a child with two active duty parents would be a big challenge, and not one that I wanted to take on. So I decided to leave the military to do the mom thing.

Also getting pregnant and having Ella really changed my thinking and lead me down the natural path. Yes I definitely became one of those crunchy, hippy, granola, moms, and proud of it! Can someone make me a pin to wear around? And that ultimately lead me to Essential Oils. At first it was just something I wanted to use, but once I found this amazing gift, I couldn't help but share them with those around me. This became more than something we used for our family or more than a job. This became a passion and a calling. Its so cool and rare to find something in life that truly lights your fire. Something you wake up in the morning thinking about and go to bed thinking about, something like this makes it not work, its just fun. It truly is the best of both world, I get to help people, and do it naturally.

As I look back on this 15 year journey, I sit in awe. I think about the person that I was when all of this began. I lived at home, and had never set foot on a military base, until I was moving onto one. This life has stretched me in the most painful and amazing ways. I have learned to step out on my own. I have learned to walk into a room of strangers and make friends. I have learned that there truly is joy in every duty station (even when cockroaches live there).

The best part of this journey is by far the people. I have met some friends who are there for a season, and some who are there for a lifetime. No matter what, they have all touched my life in deep ways. I could not be more proud to be part of this MilSpouse Tribe!!