I Had an Affair..........

.......with my phone. You see after carrying that little thing with me every where I went, sleeping with it, and checking it every 5 minutes, it occurred to me that I was having an affair with my phone.

When my husband deployed for the first time I didn't go anywhere without it. I made sure it was always charged or had access to a charger and it never left my side. I even upgraded to a phone that would allow me to IM with my husband and, of course, I had to have access to email anytime of day. I couldn't stand the thought of missing a phone call from my husband. Just the thought of missing a call gave me anxiety.



From time to time I would get upset with my beloved phone. I would call it from another phone just to make sure it was working. (you know, the times when you haven't heard from your husband in a while and are sure it must be because your phone isn't working) Or there were times when my email or IM features would be on the blink, then it wouldn't be my favorite friend. I would get mad at my phone because it wouldn't ring. Or if it did ring and wasn't my husband I would be disappointed. But on the day when it rang, it was my husband and I was able to hear his voice it was the best day of the week. It didn't matter how crappy the day was before that or how much stress there was, all that matter was the phone rang and my husband was on the other end.

Because I became so close to my phone I didn't realize how hard it would be to break up. Now, from time to time I did break up with my phone and upgraded to a new model but I immediately fell in love all over again. (except with my Blackberry, I have a love hate relationship with it)Taking it with me wherever I went and making sure I was equipped for any call day or night. Even the call from a girlfriend for bail money (You know who you are and I will never forget that :) )

It wasn't until I was talking to my girlfriend that I realized I was having an affair with my phone. My friend was trying to get in touch with her sister and made the comment that her sister wasn't as attached to her phone as we were. The light bulb went on. I told her it was because we were having an affair with our phone that most civilian people wouldn't understand. Only a military wife could relate to the affair with the phone.

When I said those words to her (text actually) I was amazed at what had come out. That was God showing me what I was going to have to give up. Or at least work on giving up. One night my husband and I were going to dinner and I was sending an email from my phone. I said to my husband, "Don't worry I will leave my phone in the car when we go in to eat." He replied "If you want to have a date with your Blackberry you just have to say so." That again was confirmation that I am to attached to my phone.

In today's society we are programmed to talk, text, email and some times all three at once. Our phones are capable of things I don't even understand. Those crafty little devices are handy and can make our lives so much easier. But they can also pull us away from relationships and conversations that are going on all around us. We might miss them because we are tuned into our phones.

I am going to attempt to break up with my phone. Okay, break up probably isn't the right word. I will still have it with me but I am going to try and detox from it. Since my husband is home I'm going to try and leave it home when he is home. If I do take it with me I'm going to try and leave it in my purse or in the car. I must remember that I did function just fine before my trusty friend came along. Instead of looking at my phone and texting I will make eye contact with other adults, say hello and smile at them.

Now that my affair is public please be sure to help keep me on track. If you are near me and I can't seem to put it down please take it away. I give you permission. Human contact and relationships are what's important not the little piece of technology in my hand.