The Folded Flag on a Sugar Packet: Remembering Robert

I was sitting at a Mexican restaurant with my mom, enjoying our meal and sharing a glass of tea, when my eyes caught the small sugar packet on the table. Printed on the paper was the Folds of Honor folded flag. In an instant, my heart sank. I quietly told my mom, “I need a moment of silence.” Many of you know that my late boyfriend, Robert Strohmeier, passed away last October 29th. It ushered in the hardest, most heartbreaking season of my life. Robert served in the Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010, deploying for two tours in Iraq and completing 63 combat infantry missions, including in Ramadi. He served our country with fierce dedication and honor. We first connected online just before Thanksgiving in 2024. Knowing he was a Marine veteran immediately stood out to me, but it was his infectious laughter and deep, thoughtful conversation that truly drew me in. After spending hours talking on the phone, we met in person a week later in early December. When I first visited his apartment, I met his two service dogs a Doberman and a Boxer mix. Despite having over a thousand friends on social media, Robert was deeply isolated, living without close family or friends nearby in the DFW area. On our first date, he walked me out to my car, opened my door, and asked when he would see me again. From that night on, we saw each other every single day, eventually moving in together in the months that followed. At the time, I was navigating my own painful separation after my ex-husband walked away from our marriage. In each other, Robert and I found purpose and companionship. We weren't alone anymore. I truly loved Robert, and I felt deep in my heart that it was my calling to serve and care for him because he had given so much serving our country. During that first year together, his veteran benefits had been stopped, and he was fighting through the exhausting process of trying to appeal them. With money so tight, I stepped in to buy our groceries, stock our essentials, feed the dogs, and take care of the apartment. Together with our fur babies, we became a real family. During the day, Robert worked nearby at a men’s clothing store doing what he genuinely loved, styling and dressing men for their most important life events. Yet beneath his warm exterior, Robert fought invisible wars. Robert was not a fan of large crowds, and on high-anxiety days, even stepping outside the front door felt impossible. Something as ordinary as a stray Target bag blowing across the middle of the road could instantly trigger combat trauma. There were good days in the daytime, but there were also very bad days. Nighttime, however, was where the deepest battle began. Sleeping beside him, I witnessed the weight of what he carried. He fought unseen enemies in his sleep, tossing and turning through devastating nightmares he could never bring himself to speak aloud. He would wake suddenly at 2:00, 4:00, or 6:00 in the morning, exhausted from the struggle. Grief has a way of finding you in the quietest, most unexpected moment even on a simple sugar packet across a lunch table. But even in the midst of remembering his pain and mourning his loss, I hold on to the love we shared and the promise of Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Welcome back to my blog, its 2026!

Hey, welcome back to my blog! I had this crazy idea: if MySpace is making a comeback, why not bring my blog back to life too? The last time many of you read my blog was in 2020. We were living through quarantine, and the world felt completely different. Fast forward to 2026, and so much has changed. Technology has evolved, writing has evolved, and yes even I'm using AI to help with grammar, sentence structure, and organizing my thoughts. But don't worry... the words and the heart behind them are still mine. While I'll share more of my story over time, I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag just yet. There have been many changes in my life, and you'll discover them one post at a time. One thing, however, has never changed: my faith. My faith has carried me through life's highs and lows and has made me into a stronger woman. It reminds me that true beauty comes from both the inside and the outside. When life gets difficult, I turn to prayer. I open my Bible and remember one of my favorite verses: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 That promise has given me hope more times than I can count. One thing that also helps me stay focused is worship. Whether it’s acoustic worship music or simple guitar worship, those quiet moments help me slow down, clear my mind, and keep my eyes on God. Sometimes all it takes is a worship song to remind me that He is in control. As this new chapter begins, I hope you’ll keep coming back. There are stories to tell, lessons I’ve learned, and adventures still ahead. One thing you will quickly discover is that I have a heart for supporting our military veterans. I’ll share more about that journey very soon. Thank you for stopping by, and welcome to this new chapter. I can’t wait to share it with you.