FORT CARSON, Colo. -- For our second date, my husband took me up the Incline in Manitou Springs. For our third date, we went mountain biking at Red Rocks Canyon. Throughout the next nine months, we went rock climbing, white-water rafting, hiking and snowboarding.
He proposed Dec. 28 after making me run hill sprints on the dirt road outside his grandparents' home in Kansas. Well, maybe he didn't "make" me, but that's the way I like to tell the story.
We married Feb. 4 at Josh and John's ice cream parlor, his platoon sergeant acting as officiant.
Then he deployed. And the heavy weight of grief, loneliness and sadness took his place.
It's been more than six months since I last saw my husband, 1st Lt. Stephen Signor, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
I've missed him every moment. I miss waking up next to him.
I miss holding his hand. I miss his cooking.
Before he left, I made a list of goals that I would attempt to accomplish before he returned from Afghanistan. And so far, I've checked off quite a few.
In April, I attempted climbing Torreys Peak (14,267 feet) via the Southpaw Couloir, but was forced off the mountain due to an avalanche. In May, I ran the Spartan Race, a five-mile obstacle course held at Fort Carson.
I've made a genuine attempt to learn how to cook (I make a mean pork green chile). After enlisting my mother's help, we refinished our dining room table and chairs (never again).
Aug. 31, exactly 26 weeks after Stephen left, I biked Vail Pass with my father. Climbing six miles of steady incline from the trail head, we reached the 10,662-foot summit in a little less than an hour.
It was easier than I had expected.
I prepared for the ride by taking cycling classes at Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. I went to Cross Fit classes and kickboxing to make sure I had the strength and endurance. I made sure I ate my hard-boiled eggs the night before the ride for extra protein.
When I rounded that final switchback I was prepared for at least another mile of hairpin turns. Instead, I hit the welcome center.
In some strange way, biking Vail Pass has become a metaphor for my experience throughout this deployment. When I started, I dreaded climbing all those miles uphill. I passed some beautiful scenery along the way, but I was more concerned with reaching that summit than stopping to appreciate the landscape. And just when I expected to reach the most grueling and difficult part of the ride, it was over.
Stephen and I are still in the middle of the "deployment ride," but we're making it through. It hasn't been without its struggles -- some days are just about surviving -- but whenever one of us is down, the other is quick to offer words of encouragement. Every time it seems like that welcome home ceremony seems out of reach, we remind each other that this will (hopefully) be the toughest time we will face.
Having those goals has helped the time go by. They've given me something to work for and look forward to.
And now, looking back at the past six months, I can't believe how fast it's gone.
Even though Stephen isn't with me physically, I know he's always cheering me on.
We won't be the same two people who said goodbye to each other six months ago. There's no way we can be. We've each grown separately in this deployment, but we've also grown together.
I still have several goals to accomplish before he comes home. I want to be able to do five pull-ups in a row. I want to read 10 books (four more to go). And I want to climb that mountain.
The final box to check -- jump into his arms and welcome him home.
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