Punta Cana: Our Post-Deployment Vacation

For the eight months that Brian was deployed, we often talked about the vacation we would inevitably take once he was back home. Over staticky Skype calls, email, and G-chat, we researched locations and resorts, read reviews, picked Punta Cana as our destination, and finally decided on the Iberostar Grand Bavaro. Long days apart were made more bearable dreaming of the vacation we'd finally take when we were together. Once we heard a tentative return date, we allowed a few weeks for a safety net and booked it. With the uncertainty regarding the exact dates we'd be able to travel and lots of rumors regarding his early return, we basically crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. Brian's date didn't change at all, and our gamble worked out perfectly. We had a few weeks to get back to a somewhat-normal routine and for Brian to attend his reintegration training before our deserved and much-needed R&R.



Between watching the sunrise, working out in the resort gym overlooking the Caribbean, lounging on the beach or at the pool enjoying many Coco Locos, and eating delicious three-course meals with dessert every day (and chocolate croissants for breakfast - my favorite!), we did a whole lot of nothing. Just enjoying each others' company and reveling in being together again - something definitely worth celebrating.