Today is a big day for Team Juloa. Ten years ago, today, we said our wedding vows and celebrated a new union: us! Although it hasn't always been easy, I look back with joy and pride all that we've accomplished and how close we've grown through it all.
To my better half, Noa, I love you more and more each day. We were such kids when we got married, but I feel like we've become a solid team and have learned about what real love truly is through each of the years, the many moves, and all our adventures together. I can't wait to see you again and celebrate these past ten years. I know the years ahead will only bring us more milestones and memories!
For the blog, I thought it would be fun to do a quick recap of some of the most memorable moments of these past ten years. Get ready for one LONG post!
2001: (June - December)
- married on June 9, 2001 - we were so young!
- We moved into our first place, a one-bedroom apartment in Melrose, MA
- Noa began rotations for his 3rd year of medical school (
Tufts Med), the first of which was surgery. I remember him getting up at 3:30 in the morning. It was a rough start for the life of newlyweds.
- I began work as a classroom assistant at
Park Street Kids in a pre-K classroom. I commuted on the T everyday and became a regular at
Finagle a Bagel in downtown Boston.
2002:
- During my second year at PSK, I accepted a lead teacher position in a toddler classroom. I also taught a Music & Movement class in the afternoons.
- Noa started his last year of med school. He was also working towards a master's degree in public health.
2003:
- Noa graduated from Tufts Medical and was also promoted to Lieutenant in the US Navy! I was so proud of him!
- Soon after, we moved into a 3-bedroom apartment in Orange Park, FL, close to where Noa would complete his family practice residency at the
Naval Hospital Jacksonville.
- Since I didn't have a Florida teaching license, I took a job as an Activities Coordinator at
Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, a retirement community in Jax.
- We finally got to get the dog I had been wanting! We chose a small breed, the Italian Greyhound for the companionship qualities and their ability to live well in apartments. Sadie stole the show the instant we spotted her.
2004:
- With a new puppy in the house, we began to get really involved in dog, and specifically Italian Greyhound, activities. Sadie passed her basic obedience class.
- Noa continues to work hard and learn the family practice ropes during his second year of residency.
- Instead of just getting my teaching license, I decided to go straight for my master's degree in elementary education. I applied to the
University of North Florida. My Christmas present that year was getting accepted into the program. I also decided that I would only work part-time during school, so I picked up a job at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
2005:
- Another addition! We decided that Sadie needed a sibling and a playmate, so we adopted Gunnar. He was adorable and mischief seeking right from the start.
- We took the plunge and got dive certified. We were able to use our new skills on a Caribbean cruise we took with friends in April of that year.
- Noa is voted in as Chief Resident for his last year of residency.
2006:
- Living so far from family and friends prompted me to begin documenting our lives, thus the beginning of Team Juloa, the blog. Here is a
link to the very first post!
- Noa graduates from his Family Practice Residency. Julie graduates with her M.Ed. from the University of North Florida.
- Noa completed his first marathon in Nashville, TN.
- In July, we packed up and moved to our first overseas duty station in Okinawa, Japan.
- In Okinawa, Noa began his first position as a family practice doc at Naval Hospital Okinawa. I accepted a kindergarten teaching position at
Kinser Elementary School.
2007:
- We kicked off the new year by taking our first trip from Okinawa to Thailand!
- We also took a couple of trips back home to reconnect with family and friends in the US.
- Noa turned 30!
- Other trips include exploring Okinawa and the outer islands, Tokyo (with the Apostles), and a visit from Julie's family around Christmas.
2008:
- In the spring of 2008 we traveled to Hawaii and Hong Kong.
- Sadly, Noa had to leave on his first deployment to Kuwait for 8 months.
- During Noa's deployment, I was transferred to a different school due to low enrollment at Kinser. My new school,
Killin Elementary School, I continued to teach Kindergarten.
2009:
- We loved living in Okinawa and decided to extend our stay for one more year.
- My turn to celebrate turning 30.
- Our travel destinations included Hawaii, mainland Japan, and China!
2010:
- The US Navy gives Noa orders to relocate back to the US. Again, we pack up and move to a new part of the world: the Pacific Northwest.
- Noa begins his work at
Naval Hospital Bremerton.
- Again faced with having an out-of-state teaching license, I decide to do some volunteer work at
Clear Creek Elementary and the
Kitsap Humane Society.
- In October, Noa completed his second marathon and I completed my first 10k.
- We bought a house!
2011:
- Noa leaves for a deployment with the
Pacific Partnership in the south Pacific. This is a pic of the service members from Naval Hospital Bremerton.
- And the biggest news of 2011, we'll be adding a new member to our family...
That's right, we're expecting! I found out the day after Noa left for his deployment that I was pregnant. It's been quite a shock and surprise, but we are both getting excited and planning for our November baby. We don't know whether the baby is a boy or girl yet, but we'll be sure to keep you posted. Right now when I look at the ultrasound photo, the baby kinda looks like an old man, so I have a slight fear that this will be a
Benjamin Button situation.
What a great 10 years and I can only imagine what the next 10 have in store for us!
