Author Archives: Shannon Razsadin

I had been counting down the days until we left Spain and returned to the States for Aleksei’s next assignment. But as our departure date approached, I had some surprisingly mixed emotions. Don’t get me wrong — I was thrilled at the prospect of being back in Washington, being able to work from the office… Read full post

Our move back to the States is approaching faster than I anticipated. It felt as if all of a sudden it was time to go into full throttle PCS-prep mode — meaning that it was time for us to figure out where we were going to live come October, when Aleksei starts his next duty… Read full post

Continued from last week … Before my move to Rota, Spain, I had forgotten what it was like to be the new kid on the block. I had lived in Washington, D.C., for over five years and I was settled — great friends, great job, great community — life was familiar and comfortable. Life in… Read full post

Continued from last week… I landed in Spain on Nov. 10, 2013, and for the first few days, I felt as if I was on vacation. We got settled in our house on base, did some shopping, planned European adventures, and explored Rota. Then reality began to set in. Don’t get me wrong: I was… Read full post

Continued from last week… Moving (known in the military as PCSing, for “permanent change of station”) is stressful. PCSing overseas can be even more stressful. For “acquired dependents” (new spouses) to join a husband or wife who is already overseas, they need to be sponsored by their spouse’s command. It may sound simple — get… Read full post

Continued from last week… The wedding plans moved forward as we approached the big day — Oct. 12, 2013. There were  some minor hiccups (seating charts, invitation envelopes — the usual), but, all in all, things were coming together. Still, one thing was bothering me. My family and I had decided not to invite one… Read full post

Continued from last week… We had about four days between our engagement and my fiance’s return to Spain. So I did what any event planner-turned-wedding planner would do — I made appointments with venues. I was in my element. Rather than have our wedding in Massachusetts (my home state) or California (his), we decided to… Read full post

Continued from last week… Work was crazy when I returned from Spain. We were planning our first large-scale event, a pro bono fundraiser for Honor Flight Network. That consumed me for six weeks, but I didn’t mind at all. We were doing great work for a great organization, and I love event planning. Once that… Read full post

Continued from last week… As the departure date for my trip to Spain approached, I grew very anxious. I found myself questioning whether I should even go. I knew (from a previous long-distance relationship that ended with me being dumped at the airport — ouch!) that every time I said “bye” (or, as I prefer,… Read full post

Continued from last week… I knew I needed to pull it together on the evening before he left. We focused our conversation on my plans, his plans, our plans: my trip to visit him in Spain (yes, I had already booked a flight), his search for housing, and our hopes for the holidays. Talking about… Read full post

Continued from last week… Spain. Do not panic (totally panicking). Orders to Spain! I didn’t know that was possible. I figured he would be staying in D.C. for the next few years, and by then, who knows — maybe we’d be together, maybe we wouldn’t. I immediately went into planning mode (as an event planner,… Read full post

X I was opposed to marrying someone in the military. To the amazing military families out there, please, take no offense. I was on a different path. Driven to be successful professionally, my plan had no room for moves every few years, I didn’t want to be told where to live, and I would not… Read full post