JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Meet #IMSCFamily Victoria Page, spouse of Master Sgt. Randie Page with the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center’s Installation Support Directorate’s Installation Deployment Division.
Victoria, our October Spouse Spotlight, has been an Air Force spouse for two years and we asked her to tell us a little about her time with the military.
What’s your first memory as the spouse of an Airman?
Attending my first Air Force Ball at Dover Downs Casino, Delaware. I remember my husband telling me that we are going shopping to get me the best looking dress, so I can look good on his arm. He told me he has to wear his mess dress with medals and even in that uniform, we would be the best dressed couples at the event. I purchased a nice flowing dress like I was going to the senior prom and made sure I had all the diamonds showing on my hands and ears. That night was filled with stories of Air Force history, elaborate dining, games and my favorite; dancing. We captured this memory of this night by taking pictures with friends, enjoyed the photo booths and posed for marketing pictures for Dover AFB Facebook page. I had one of the best nights I can remember as a new Air Force spouse. My plan is to continue to attend the Air Force Ball every year.
What’s your best experience as the spouse of an Airman?
I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and never really traveled outside of the city besides my sweet sixteen birthday trip to the Bahamas. I never really wanted to go outside of my hometown but being a military spouse, it opened up experiences for me to explore. My most favorite experience of being a military spouse allowed me to visit Europe and stay in places such as Croatia and Paris. I have also experienced staying in a one of four Air Force Vacation Clubs, Edelweiss Lodge and Resorts in Germany. My husband and I are planning to stay in the other three in the next couple of years.
What’s a challenge you and your spouse overcame as a team?
Living and moving as a blended family. My husband and I have two children each from prior relationships where the other parents live in different states. The challenge we faced was trying to coordinate appointed visitation times with all our kids and schedule visitation for our daughter that lives with us to spend time with her father. On top of that, we want to make sure we are still communicating daily with our children who don’t live with us full time. We overcame these challenges by planning daily video chats and establishing a travel fund account for our children’s visitation trips. These plans allowed us to meet emotional and physical challenges we faced while relocating cross-country just like many other military families.
What is your best advice for other AFIMSC spouses?
Communicate effectively and do it as frequently as possible. I would also advise to take the good with the bad and try to make the best out of all situations. Additionally, get involved in the unit and take a vested interest in the community. People will always appreciate a person who shows they are making an effort. That is all anyone can ask of you and be the best at that effort. I have heard plenty of times “the military is a family” and “the spouse and family serves right along with their military member.” We are in this together, so if you can help a new person arriving in this community, pay it forward and assist them with getting acclimated to the local area.
Do you have a mantra that you live by and how does it help?
“Be honest, open, consistent and real.” I live by that and would expect others to do the same. There is a saying, “Treat people how you want to be treated” and I consistently strive to do just that. I have learned in life you have to be a light no matter what others are doing. With everything going on in the world, state, community and even in families; being the best version of yourself is the best way to live. A lot of people say “You only live once” but I say “You live every day,” so make the best out of opportunities that arise.
What’s something you cherish from your time as a spouse and why?
There have been many things in my short time being an Air Force spouse. I cherish each time my husband arrives in an airport from his deployments. I would be waiting at the airport, staring at the escalator that brought down the arriving passengers. Men and women came down with their backpacks and small bags of luggage, but I waited. And then, at the top of the stairs, I saw the first part of the uniform, and I knew it was him. We had not seen each other for about nine months. As soon as I see his face, I run to him with my arms stretched, ready to jump into his arms. I could hear all the other people in the airport when they realized what was happening, that an Airmen was meeting up with his wife after time apart. I hear cheers and claps as I ran right into his arms. This was bliss. This is what amazing feels like. This was how things are supposed to be, both of us, in one another’s arms, husband, and wife together again.