Summer, how joyous you are to others, How warm and comforting I hear you are. Getting everyone so ecstatic to see you around the corner with the promise of a break. So why have you always skipped me? Summer, why don’t you give me the light of day? You give me no warmth, no comfort, no place to rest. Everyone else welcomes you like a long-lost friend, and I see you like any other day of the week, nothing special, nothing kind. I’ll never be excited for your arrival, not when

Every person who's ever come to my house may remember the familiar smoky smell of pork wafting from our kitchen as they're welcomed by my mom with a smile and a laugh. Our home is always decorated beautifully, every wall with pictures of those we love, and every couch layered with blankets gathered from many Christmases and housewarmings. My mom is one of those people who will always make you feel understood and valued. She is unwaveringly strong but always funny -- the life

This article was sent to us by Honor L., an 11th grader Navy brat stationed in California. Do you have a story to share with your fellow military teens? Visit our guest contribution page to find out how you can submit to Bloom! Many people think that the only time a military parent isn’t present is when they are on deployment. I’ve had trouble explaining to civilians over the years that just because my dad can’t make it to an event doesn’t mean that he is on deployment. In r

A big part of our lives as military teens is gratitude. You are likely already familiar with the importance of gratitude, so let this article serve as a simple reminder to pause and appreciate all the blessings in your life. It may seem clich é , but gratitude is truly one of the most valuable skills we can develop. This positive emotion is a key sustenance of our lives; it keeps us afloat amidst life's difficulties and centered on what is important to us. By practicing grati

Thanksgiving – a time to look back on our lives and realize just how much we’re grateful for. As I scroll through social media, I see love and appreciation going out to friends, to family members, and to pets. I see my friends stationed around the world celebrating a holiday of thanks with the people around them.  As I reflect on my life, I realize that I’m thankful not just for the people around me, but for my lifestyle. I can’t imagine a version of me without moving and wit

Surely you've heard the saying "it's a small world." This phrase refers to the connections we make with other people as we go through our lives that overlap with someone new we have just met. It implies the interconnectedness of everyone living in this world, that the bonds we create with other people help us form new relationships, making the world seem a little smaller than before. Such instantaneous connections are possible in places and with people we may have never expec

There’s a red sticker on my bedside table. Its edges are curled, the nine-digit number is fading. It’s one of hundreds slapped on our furniture by movers over the years. These stickers have followed me through seven moves and new schools. They've felt like an annoyance I tried to peel away. Now, the red sticker feels personal. It represents where I’ve been and who I hope to become. My earliest memory of the stickers was yellow ones in Texas (our second move). I spent hours pe

“Oh, so you’re like Jessie from that Disney show?” Military life is something that, when you’re a military child, can seem like it...

“This already feels like home” you’re expected to say. After all, you have already moved many times. It already feels like home, as you...

If you've grown up around a military base, you're likely familiar with the songs of the military branches. The songs play at a variety of...

My dad has served in the military my entire life. 16 years of moving. 16 years of deployments. 16 years of orders. But now, after 17...

“Soldier keep on marching on… Head down ‘til the work is done.”  A few years ago, in the span of the little over three years my family...

A promotion is a significant occasion in the life of a service member. It is a milestone marking their ongoing commitment to service,...

Life - especially as a military kid - can be unpredictable. Sometimes, you might want a guide or emergency supplies to help you out. Many...

This article was sent to us by Natalie S., an eighth grader stationed in Texas. Do you have a story to share with your fellow military...

My whole life has been surrounded by sacrifice; in many ways, this is just the human experience. Whether it's sacrifices between parents...

My 20th birthday is fast approaching. I am not entirely sure how I feel about that. Turning 18 and going to college felt like steps...

The classroom teemed with excitement as everyone took their seats, eager to play a game the teacher had told us about. It was my first...

The Month of the Military Child takes place in April and serves as a time to express awareness and appreciation for the lives of military...

This article was sent to us by Natalie S., an eighth grader stationed in Texas. Do you have a story to share with your fellow military...