Motivated by Love

"No man is HAPPY or COMPLETE without the modifying INFLUENCE of the RIGHT WOMAN." Napoleon Hill

I want to share with you some of the driving emotions of our older son and daughter- in-law.

Our son, Jon, joined the Florida Air National Guard, seven years ago at the Air Force Base in Jacksonville, FL. He actively fulfilled his monthly weekend duty and two-week summer tour of duty for several years. About a year before he joined the guard (FANG), he met his future wife.

Jon attended Bob Jones University for one year before he found his niche in architecture. While Jon was attending BJU, Melody visited the campus for high school music competition. She was a senior in high school and was very talented in music, specifically voice.

When their paths crossed and they began to talk to each other, they realized that they had a lot in common. They both had conservative standards and both had a strong desire to serve God with their life.

Melody went on to Pensacola, FL, for college, and Jon pursued his career in architecture in Jacksonville, FL. They emailed a few times, then Jon called Melody. The relationship, though long distant, began.

Melody went four years to college while Jon worked at an engineering firm and the national guard. He also was on a tour of duty in Iraq for 4 months in 2004.

During the course of their relationship, they seldom saw each other, but communicated through the internet and eventually Jon bought two cell phones on a phone plan,so that they could talk daily.

During Melody's senior year at college, during Christmas break, Jon proposed, and "She said, YES!"

After Melody graduated from college, she moved to Jacksonville to teach second grade in a Christian school. Jacksonville, FL, is a BIG city! (The city of Jacksonville takes up the whole county of Duval.) Melody lived at the south end in Orange Park, while Jon lived near the airport at the north end. Even though they were in the same city, they still had a long-distant relationship in miles. However, they knew how to communicate!

They were married June 24, 2006, in Maryland.

Jon moved into Melody's apartment and transferred his military status to a base on the south side of Jacksonville, too. Shortly after they got married, Jon and Melody announced that Jon would be going into Para-Rescue training!

Para-rescue training is very tough! It is the Air Force Special Operations, comparable to the Navy Seals. It certainly isn't marriage friendly! Melody's dad was in the Coast Guard. So she had grown up with the military. Still we are talking about two years of training away from family and loved ones.

Jon started this special training in October, 2007, and will complete the course in September, 2009.

I can't describe the driving desire that fuels his motivation, but Jon has always put 110% into everything he desires to do. Through the long periods of time he is separated from his wife, his deep desire to achieve and complete the task at hand has been accompanied with the love for his wife and family, and his deep commitment to protect & serve his others.

I am biased because this is about my son and daughter-in-law, but these men & women must be commended for their desire and commitment to protect our rights & freedom!

Most of them are motivated BY the LOVE of someone back home.

I am Proud of our military!

Debbie Engler