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

I am from cold, harsh winters and frostbit toes I am from roaring waterfalls where you snack on warm apple cider donuts and lick the sugar from your lips I am from a home where deer run in the backyard where there are faces in trees I am from nights filled playing hide and seek with friends When we were younger and times were simpler   I am from quaint coastal towns Filled with mansions from an era long before mine I am from sailboat rides and Subway sandwiches From a time wh

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...

When I was younger, I had no trouble calling my house a home. No matter how many times I moved, it always felt like home to me. However,...

This article was sent to us by Annika F., a 12th grader stationed in Japan. Do you have a story to share with your fellow military teens?...

I've lived in nine houses, attended nine schools, called four different states my home, and reoriented my internal clock off of three...

Scroll to see the creations! As a kid, my favorite part about moving was the boxes. With every move, I eagerly waited for the boxes to...

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

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

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 following are some famous veterans in our nation’s history, including ones that maybe you didn’t even know about! Dwight D....

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...