Military Wife Gets Creative To Include Deployed Husband In Christmas Card

Military Wife Creatively Made Christmas Card And Includes Deployed Husband

Being in the military is such an honor and glory. But, doing the courageous duty means being away from the family especially during the holidays.

Just like Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith. He will spend his first Christmas away from his 3-year-old daughter, but absolutely not forgotten from his family’s Christmas card.

Sgt. Smith, a nearly 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, was Photoshopped into a card with his wife, Andrea Smith, and their daughter, Charlotte.

The Smith’s.

The photo shows Andrew Smith in his military uniform stepping in to help as Charlotte stands atop toys in a Target grocery cart and Andrea Smith sits on the floor drinking a Starbucks coffee.

“I know so many families are going through the same thing as us,” Andrea Smith, 28, said. “If we can make awareness that families are still missing people serving away from home, it’s worth it.”

Andrea Smith took the photo at Target because it is Charlotte’s favorite store. Sitting on the floor drinking coffee was meant to be a fun way to show all what Andrea does as a single, stay-at-home mom while her husband serves the country.

Andrew is nearly 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Sgt. Andrew Smith, 29, has been stationed with his family at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for the past three years. Andrea was not accustomed and able to disclose his length of deployment or location.

When her husband saw the Christmas card, his first reaction was, ‘This is fantastic,". He was completely blown away.” Andrea said the photo of her entire family together just made her heart melt.

This is Andrea's post on Facebook:

Andrew and Andrea Smith live in North Carolina with their daughter, Charlotte.

When you see our Christmas card, we truly hope it spreads holiday cheer & giggles. Deployments are HARD. I struggle A LOT and somedays I want to throw in the towel and beg the Marine Corps to return my husband and her daddy to us, but we all know that's not how this lifestyle works.

This year the holidays have been a little more emotional for us especially as we are celebrating a little differently with MANY miles, oceans, and countries between us. (My heart goes out to all those in similar situations as us! As well as a HUGE THANK YOU) The best Christmas gift of all would be for everyone to have everyone home safely, but until then thank you for all you do and please everyone keep our military members and families in your prayers and hearts this holiday season!

But regardless of this hard situation, I think it’s important to know that no matter the distance between us we will always be together in our hearts, and daddy is never too far away to be watching out for his little girl. Until then, there’s always Target + Starbucks to get us through. Haha.

“I know so many families are going through the same thing as us.”

In full disclosure: If you know me personally, you know I’m probably the biggest helicopter mom out there, so for anyone worrying about our daughter's safety (this image is a composite image). I want to say THANK YOU to my friend Leslie, who photographed and created this image. From the moment we met, we connected and became instant friends. But I want to thank her for everything she does, has done, and continues to do for our little family!! She’s truly an amazing person, and we are blessed to have her in our lives.

“When I saw us all together, I thought, ‘This is perfect,’” she said. “There was no other word to describe it.”

This Christmas we salute every soldier who served and continue to protect our country and also to their family back home.

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.”

- Marjorie Holmes