When they first join US Marine Corps bootcamp, they are first called recruits. Upon completion of the Crucible, they earn their EGA (Eagle, Globe, and Anchor) emblem and the title of US Marine. In the last three days, Lima Company in San Diego slayed the dragon! Maximum respect for the whole company who worked so hard to make their dream come true!

This morning, covered in mud, wet, hungry and exhausted, they had their DIs (drill instructors), not yelling for the first time, shake their hands, hand them the emblem, congratulate them, and call them a Marine. I couldn’t be prouder of the whole team and especially of James.

Someone asked me what happens if some can’t make it to the end. I’ve heard that they lift, carry, and drag each other if needed. By the end of it all, they are functioning as a unit and totally looking out for each other. So amazing. You can tap out if you have an injury but there are cases of people with fractures dragging themselves to the end. Amazing humanoids these!

Needless to say, this mama is over the moon. I kept the candle burning for him. The stress was immense, and I didn’t even realize the half of it. I have huge knots in my shoulders today. I feel like dads used to feel when their wives were having babies back in the day. Dads paced the maternity room floors, totally vested and not able to do anything except sweat and pray and sweat some more.

I get to lay eyes on him in 15 days. I’m all packed!