Thursday, 26 August 2010 14:43 | Carla @ The Ring

WAR BRIDES: communication & quality time are key

Q&A with modern war bride, Jenn Edwards

Photography by Lee Mann of Lee Mann Productions Photography & Cinema (www.leemannproductions.com)

Q.How did your fiance's pending departure affect your wedding plans?

A. Since Mike was doing pre-deployment training in various cities and countries I planned the wedding entirely on my own. I actually preferred to plan it on my own. We set our wedding date without knowing his departure or training dates, we were very lucky to find out he had a few weeks of vacation before the wedding.

Q.How long after your wedding did your husband have to go to Afghanistan? How long was he gone?

A. We were married on the long weekend in September. We had a mini honeymoon in Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Sunday/Monday, and he left for Petawawa on the Tuesday. So it was only a few days after we had been married. He was still doing pre-deployment training up until December 2009 so we were able to take a real honeymoon to Italy right before he deployed in 2010.

Q.What is it like to be newly married and have your husband off at war?

A. Mike had been in pre-deployment training for over a year, so our visits were always short. When we first started dating it was a long distance relationship, so we were used to the inconvenience. I keep busy designing and constructing fashion apparel, and meeting with friends and family.

Q.How do you and your husband maintain your relationship while he is gone?

A. Mike is very lucky to have access to the internet and phone while deployed. We talk everyday through email and every other day by telephone. There is about a 10 hour time difference so it can be difficult to arrange the perfect time to call. We also send packages, postcards and letter through the mail.

Q.Have you found any other women in your situation? If so, how does knowing them help you cope with having a husband in the war?

A. I am very close with a woman whose partner is also in Afghanistan with my husband. We keep each other updated with news from our husbands.

Q.Have you found any kind of support either within your family, friends or community to help you deal with your situation?

A. The Canadian Army offers services and groups for friends/families of deployed soldiers. I am very independent and have not used any of these services to date. I think both our families are supportive of our decision for him to deploy to Afghanistan.

Q.What advice do you have for other modern brides whose husbands have been, or will be deployed shortly after their wedding?

A. Communication is really important and we are very fortunate that we are able to talk to each other everyday. Dealing with a deployed spouse can be very overwhelming as you are left to take care of things by yourself. I suggest writing letters and meeting other families with deployed soldiers.

Click here to read more stories on WWII and modern war brides. Check out more details onJenn & Mike's wedding, which was featured in theSpring/Summer 2010 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine.