Nancy Cortez-Arriaga is no stranger to being the head of the household watching over 5 kids while her husband is away, but she may never get used to the loneliness that comes with being a soldier's wife.
"Not until it happens, you don't know what you're going to go through. I think it's really hard for both of us."
Juan and Nancy married in 2007.
A year later he deployed to Iraq with the Marines and then again with the Army National Guard.
The soldier is now away in training in Washington and will deploy back to Iraq for a third time in December.
This army wife has learned to put her fears and stress over her husband being overseas in someone else's hands.
"I have a lot of faith in God. I pray for him and his fellow soldiers and I have faith that God is taking care of him and taking care of us as well."
Nancy says technology has assisted in keeping her connected to her husband and is hoping to have the same communication with this 3rd tour of duty.
"When he was in Iraq in 2008 and 2009, we were very fortunate because we were able to send emails. He did have internet so we were able to chat online, and he called me everyday."
Every call is cherished by the mother and wife who can't just pick up the phone and tell her husband that she's having a bad day or that she just wanted to hear his voice.
She waits patiently for his call, email, and for the day she gets to wrap her arms around him again, something she knows by memory after having to say goodbye so many times.
"It is one of the most difficult things."
Sgt. Juan Arriaga will be home for Thanksgiving, but returns to training a few days later as he prepares for deployment to Iraq in December.
This will be his second Christmas away from home.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT