Tennessee. The second and final part to our adventure in the Army. Though the scenery has not been nearly as beautiful as Washingtons, our adventure here became greater than I could have imagined. So much has happened here, and I can’t help but be so thankful that we left Washington (as much as it pains me to say) and came here to Clarksville, Tennessee.  
I’ll start with the move here. Wow. Well, we rented the biggest uhaul they had, packed up our 1 bedroom Lakewood apartment, along with a Jeep Cherokee…in the back of the uhaul. Yes, you read that correctly. BUT WAIT, that’s not all. We also had a trailer hooked up to the uhaul pulling my white Silverado. Now picture this big ol’ rig, driving through the mountains of Montana…

Needless to say, it was a one crazy 3 day drive to Tennessee. We settled into our new (much smaller) 1 bedroom apartment, and our new adventure began. About two months went by, of unpacking and settling in and we were getting acquainted with our new state. And we quickly took on our first adventure.

When I was searching for an apartment from Washington, I had one thing I was looking for. They had to accept dogs. Big dogs. When I finally found the place we ended up living in for two years, I was so happy. And after two months in our new apartment, we wandered into Tractor Supply one day, and wandered out with our sweet Prada girl. Though, it wasn’t that easy. After meeting her, and wandering around the store with Kyler “talking” about adopting her, we actually left. I had a meltdown and sobbed to Kyler that I needed us to go back and bring her home with us. He gave me some crap about him not wanting a dog yet, but we went back, and the dogs were all loaded up and about to leave when we pulled in. But obviously, we got Prada and she stole both of our hearts. She was the best thing I’ve ever “thrown a fit about.” Even if it was a fit to my own husband. 
She instantly became everything to us. And two short months later, we wandered into an animal shelter, and wandered out with our sweet Mac boy. This time the story was similar. I didn’t want another dog, in fear that Kyler wouldn’t love Prada anymore. Craziness, I know. But, of course I had no choice but to fall in love with Mac. And to fall more in love with Mac and Prada as a pair, because they are quite the pair. So, $300+ in pet deposits later, we had two big dogs in our small apartment, and loving almost every minute of it. Mac was such a trouble maker, as most puppies are. But it was always fun, always an adventure, and always something new. I could go on and on about these two, but I will just say how thankful I am for them.  

And fast forward then to now, August 2017 – quite a bit as happened. And the best step we could have taken was moving into a house! It’s been the perfect house for us this past year and a half. We also have an awesome neighbor and friend, Mickey! Who is the best neighbor anyone could ask for. He checks our mail for us while on trips, lends us tools, cooking advice, veggies from his garden, and lots of laughs! This house has been perfect for our little family. And I will be sad to leave it. The dogs have an amazing back yard, Kyler has his own garage, I have my own room for books, my desk, etc! It even has an attic (I just think that it’s so cool to have an attic!). We’ve been so happy here. I think the happiest we’ve be on our four year adventure together as a married couple. But it is only getting better!

In between our adventuring, I was about to find my career path here! As someone who didn’t take the traditional route, I’ve felt so behind on the “what am I going to do with my life” issue. On top of traditional schooling not being for me, I was certain I would never find a career path, let alone one that I love. I was lucky enough to stumble across this crazy idea of becoming a dog trainer. Then I was lucky enough to have found an awesome first step in education for it! Even though I didn’t dive right into training after graduation, I found a job at a kennel, and learned a lot about the business side in the pet industry. I left after a year, because there was no room for growth there, and I knew I needed more. And to feel that, felt great. I bounced around to a few other odd jobs, but finally decided I needed to put myself out there, as Melissa Sill, Certified Dog Trainer. It was a really scary step, and it took me 2+ years to take it. But I’m so glad I did. I’ve met some great people and great dogs that have helped me grow as a trainer, and have helped motivate me to be even better. I am now the most exciting I’ve ever been for the future. Knowing that I have something to offer is such a great feeling.  

In the recent weeks, as my time in Tennessee starts to dwindle, I’ve been feeling a little sad that I’m leaving. With absolutely no chance of coming back. I felt this way about Washington (miss that place like crazy) but this is different. I think it’s different because we are actually leaving the Army, and any chance of moving or being told we have to move again is no longer a possibility. Not to say that we can’t leave Michigan ever, but it’s not likely at all that we will. I am so beyond grateful for being able to have the experiences I’ve had. Even if it meant going through 2 long deployments, countless months of training, countless times of frustration and sadness. There has been SO much good that has come in the mix of it all. I’ve learned so much about myself, my marriage, and life itself. What more could you ask for?  
I can only hope that our new adventure back in Michigan will be just as amazing. After all, we are kinda stuck there now 😉 I’ve wanted to leave Michigan since high school. Never did I think I would leave the way I did, or get to experience any of the things I did. I just hope going back, isn’t like taking 10 steps (or 4 years) back. That’s my only fear. But we are so happy to be going back and to be close to everyone we love. Because if you ask us, being home and raising our family (no kids yet) is 10 times more important than more traveling.  

Kyler just started schooling for his new adventure, and he will be back home with me and the dogs by Christmas time! It’s our hope that we will find a house by next Summer/Fall. And I’m glad that we can finally have a Christmas HOME this year (and every year now) – with no dreaded day we have to say goodbye to everyone and drive 8+ long hours back somewhere we don’t really want to be. We have taken so many trips back and fourth during our time here.  

When we moved here, we were so glad that we were actually within driving distance to home. But every trip we made home, while I was excited for our destination, I hated the drive! It felt so long, boring, and traffic sucked a lot of the time. And I’m all about trying to make an adventure out of situations, but it was mostly a fiasco. Between the dogs wanting to be out the windows while we’re going 70+ mph, to Kyler having to pee more than a pregnant woman, it was ridiculous! And each time it got more difficult to head back to TN. Thankfully, I’ve had several visits from my Mom, Chet, Dad & Lori! 

And every time they came they brought a little piece of home to me. And I’m so thankful for that. Because I got to experience TN & MI at the same time, several times. Like going to Nashville for a Red Wings Game, and going to Nashville for a Blink -182 concert, and MGK concerts, things that are so special to me, I got to experience here, with the people I love.

As weird as it sounds, the main reason I am so excited to leave, is the weather! I will not miss the crazy heat! I have never been so HOT in my life than I have been the past 3 years here. We quickly realized that it’s totally normal and that most people don’t think it’s even crazy how humid and hot it is here. One thing I can remember so clearly when we first got here, was Kyler and I walking into Walmart one day, wearing shorts and t shirts, while every one else was in jeans, some even in jackets. It was April, but it was sunny and 70 + degrees outside. And we both kept laughing in confusion, saying, “how the hell are these people in jeans? It’s hot as fuck!” We are actually looking forward to being back in the Michigan weather!

Of course, there will be things I miss about Clarksville. Like having so many restaurants, stores, parks, etc so close! Also being so close to Nashville, and one of our favorite things to do, is go to the Nashville mall! We’ve made so many “traditions” here that I’m sad to leave behind. Like summer trips to Billy Dunlop park, trips to Sonic during Summer, Rural king trips, Rotary park, and so much more. I also loved having bonfires in the back yard – we would listen to music, play with the dogs, roast hot dogs and s’mores and talk about everything together.  We have so many awesome memories here.

In the last few weeks, I’ve started thinking a lot about all of the things we’ve been doing for “last time” here. We recently ventured to Lake Barkley, a beach in Kentucky that we love taking the dogs to. We haven’t been since before Kylers deployment last year. And it dawned on me as we left, that we will never go there again! Soon I will be taking my last morning walk with the dogs at the parks we love all over town. We will be taking our last trip to sonic, Olive Garden, and there are a few people here that I won’t see anymore. 

I’m just so excited to be home though. I’m so excited that we will finally be starting our life. A real life. It must sound weird, we’ve been away for four years already, living our lives, making our circumstances work the best we can, but once we head back to good ole Michigan, we will really be starting our life. I’ll start my dog training business, Kyler will start his new career, we will find a house, and as we say “start to live like normal people!”