LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Editor's Note: During the month of February, we will be honoring dual-military couples who work around the hurdles to make their marriage work. This is the second article in the series.
Time and again, distance serves as the main problem dual-military couples tackle. Permanent changes of station, temporary duties and deployments are always possible, and although this is well-known, it is still difficult to deal with.
Keeping in touch while stationed apart is never easy, but modern technology helps to make it possible for Staff Sgt. Rashade Purdie, 3rd Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Ala., and Senior Airman Dana Hill, 633d Air Base Wing public affairs photographer.
The two met December 2008 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Dana first saw Rashade at a basketball game while sitting in the bleachers.
"It was his amazing smile that drew me in," Dana said, beaming. "I was so shy I had a mutual friend of ours 'run interference' so to speak. Our friend was able to get his screen name for me, and after that we chatted all the time online."
They both agreed to go on a date, but stood each other up. Rashade's work schedule was constantly changing so he could not make it and Dana was still feeling shy, she sheepishly admitted.
On Christmas Eve, they finally met face-to-face for the first time at a little Korean restaurant. Rashade confessed feeling apprehensive before their meeting, but chose to take a chance on it. Dana said they "hit it off", and since then are inseparable.
"After the first date I knew he was a keeper," Dana said with a grin. "He is a true gentleman."
They made their relationship official Feb. 21, 2009, but were separated a few months after when Dana received orders to Langley AFB in April. About six months later, Rashade received orders to Elmendorf AFB.
"The distance between us and my unstable work hours are a two of our biggest challenges," Rashade said. "But we find ways to persevere, whether it's by sending e-mails or pictures. When we have time to communicate we make the most of it."
The couple also uses Skype, a software application that allows users to instant message, video conference and make phone calls for free. They send gifts to each other for holidays and birthdays and agreed to visit each other every three months.
The pair plans to marry in April and eventually start a family but the possibility of deployments and TDYs is a concern.
"When we have kids, the thought of missing our child's first words, first steps, birthdays and special holidays is a burden," Rashade said. "But that's a part of being a dual-military couple. We have to prepare ourselves for such unexpected events."
There are also positives of being a dual-military couple. Once they are married, they can travel together, Rashade said. He said he also feels blessed to be able to experience the world and witness its beauty with Dana.
"If it had not been for the Air Force, I would never have traveled to South Korea and met the love of my life," Rashade said.
The two advise other couples to have faith and stay strong. When disagreements arise, they recommend couples take time to understand each other's side.
"No relationship is perfect," Dana said, "We work through problems and in the end we're a stronger, closer couple."