Honoring Military Spouses: planDisney Panelist Shares Her Story
The Walt Disney Company has long respected the military and its families. It recognizes that military service is a team effort, and behind every service member is a supportive family making sacrifices, too.
In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 9, Disney Parks Blog sat down with planDisney panelist Carrie H. to talk about her journey as a military spouse and her lifelong love of Disney magic.
Carrie’s husband, Eric, serves as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, working as an aviation electrician. Their story begins in Illinois, where, like Walt Disney himself, they grew up and met as teenagers!
Read on for Carrie and Eric’s inspiring story, and check out some of the inspiring interview below.
All in the (Military)Family
Disney Parks Blog: Tell us a little bit about your family.
Carrie: “My husband and I started as high school sweethearts, and we have celebrated over 20 years of marriage. We have three kids (middle school, high school, and college age) who keep our life interesting and our schedules full. While military life has its ups and downs, we cannot complain that the Navy has let us call San Diego home now for the second time, just a short drive to Disneyland Resort! You’ll find us in the parks getting in as many attractions as we can, but also leaving plenty of time to check the newest Disneyland snacks off our list of must-tries.”
Disney Parks Blog: What is it like being a military spouse?
Carrie: “Being a military spouse means long separations apart, missing milestones and holidays. My husband was deployed when our first child was born. But then you have those really special homecomings. It’s learning to be really independent, but then also learning that everything doesn’t have to go your way once they’re back. It’s learning a lot of patience and not sweating the small stuff.”
Disney Magic
Disney Parks Blog: What does Disneyland Resort mean to you and your family?
Carrie: “Disneyland Resort has truly become a home away from home for me and our kids. Obviously, we love coming to celebrate—making up for lost time when Dad’s here—but it’s also a place we choose to go when we’re having a hard time, and we just want to get away for a little bit. A few years ago, during my husband’s deployment, the kids and I made great friends within our military community who also had loved ones deployed, and we would all just go up together.”
Becoming a planDisney Panelist
Disney Parks Blog: Why did you decide to become a planDisney panelist?
Carrie: “Disney was always a place I loved going with my family, especially with the kids while Eric is away. My friends would always ask for information or advice for their trips, so I figured being a planDisney panelist would work out perfectly! I love helping others make the most of their visits to ‘The Happiest Place on Earth!’”
Disney Parks Blog: What is a fun memory you have from being a planDisney panelist?
Carrie: “Last year we went to Walt Disney World as a family and our oldest daughter was waiting on college acceptances. While we were there, she found out she was accepted to her top choice!”
Carrie shares more insight into her love for DIsney and its impact on being a military family. Visit Disney Parks Blog official page for the complete interview.
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Feature Photo/Article Source: planDisney
