Sarah is not only the spouse of a submariner, but she is a veteran herself. Prior to joining the Navy she was studying education and working as a substitute teacher. Then, she decided on a career change so that she could have a better chance at leaving the small north eastern town she grew up in. The Navy provided her with that opportunity. For 6 years she served as a fire controlman, 5 inch tech, 2nd class. However, she was medically retired in 2015 (while she was expecting her oldest child), due to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
She and her husband now have two children and a house that they purchased together. Except her husband left on deployment before they could close or move; so the responsibility fell squarely on her shoulders. Sarah explains, “I closed and moved into this house completely by myself which was incredibly empowering because that’s no small task to take on when you have a partner there to help you, let alone by yourself two small children and no real family network of support. It was fun going through and setting up the household; where furniture goes, what color the walls got painted choosing decor, but in that same breath it’s so nerve racking because I had to do it and I couldn’t ask him his opinion. This is supposed to be OUR home but when you set it up and do it all yourself because they’re gone; is it our home or is it MY home?”
On a day in mid-April she and her two kids, ages 3 and 10 months, enjoy an uncommonly warm and sunny evening. Her daughter insists on going out to ride her bike, which does not go well. She is in the beginning stages of learning. Afterward, they play outside while Sarah preps a dinner of grilled chicken and vegetables. When dinner is done and cleared away Sarah settles into sew, which started as a creative outlet but has grown into a small business.
