When it comes to #TrailingSpouseGoals, RBG is our GOAT.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death on Friday has renewed interest in her incredible life story: persevering through partner-prompted relocations, health crises, and decades of systemic discrimination, culminating in a triumphant third act as the towing spouse — with her husband Martin as her biggest champion.
Trailing spouses are forced to encounter change more than the average human, often without much support. In my 26 years as a Navy wife, my family has experienced 10 house moves, including five different states and one overseas tour. Throughout this adventure, I’ve continued prioritizing my professional advancement as a creative marketing professional. In the past, pursuing your own career dreams hasn’t been expected of military wives — but times are changing and I hope sharing my story publicly for the first time inspires others to never give up on their dreams.
Continued from Part 3 of Erica’s story…
After spending four years exploring Europe from our base at Naval Station Rota, the Klinger family headed back to the USA in 2008. This time, we were being introduced to another new culture: the Mid-South, a region nearly as foreign to my New Englander self as Spain had first seemed. This would also be an administrative assignment for my husband, so for the first time, we wouldn’t be living near the ocean.
We decided to live in Lakeland, a Tennessee town with great public schools and plenty of space for our three kids to grow up. It was close to Millington, where my husband was stationed, and only 45 minutes from downtown Memphis.