May 2014.
“Do you think you could handle that?”
Could I handle this? My answer to my boyfriend’s question would likely define the course of our relationship and shift the course of where I thought my life was going.
I remember the moment perfectly. Sun shining. A large Caribbean Passion Jamba Juice gripped between both of my hands. The condensation on the plastic was starting to drip down the side of my cup.
The gravity of the question hit me in the chest like a pile of bricks. I knew this was the make it or break it moment with the man I was falling for.
Could I really handle that?
The “that” he was referring to was the rigors of medical school and life as a doctor’s wife. The rigors on the family. The rigors on a relationship. The rigors on me. Because if I signed on, I was in it for the long haul. Hence, why it was so important I discover for myself could I handle this or not.
If you would have told me when I was 23 that I was going to get married and move to Provo, Utah, I would have laughed at you. I would never have imagined life’s path would take me to Provo. Much less would I have imagined that I’d marry an aspiring doctor that would likely take me away from my home state for medical school.
This was not my plan.
I thought I would marry someone who would have a 9-5 job right out of college. We’d have the weekends together. The holidays and possibly the summers. The home close to family (but not too close) where our kids could play with their cousins and be spoiled by their aunts and uncles.
Life would be stable and predictable.
Well, turns out my “plan” likely won’t happen for a while. In fact, life is going to be very unpredictable. And ya know what? I’m ok with that.
So, could I handle this? It took me a while before I could honestly answer my boyfriend’s question. But after a lot of thought, pros and cons lists, and prayer, I decided – Yes, I could handle this.
With my husband’s help and God’s help, I could handle being a med school wife.
I know it isn’t going to be easy, but hey, the adventure is going to be so worth it. Plus, I’m in it with my best friend. He is not just going to medical school. We are going to medical school. It is a team effort.
Long story short, a few months later we were engaged and three months after that we were married!
It has been just over two years since we sealed the deal. I still have some fears with the transitions and rigors that will come our way before, during, and after med school, but that’s is why I am writing this blog.
So that I, and hopefully you (whether you are a med school spouse, an army wife, or married to your sweetheart who spends a long time away from home to provide for the family), know that you can handle this.
In fact, we aren’t just going to “handle” this. We are going to thrive.
Prepping for medical school? Check out these posts below and let me know what you’ve found helpful!
3 Things To Do In College To Prep For Med School
