Flint Michigan Woman Says Goodbye to Her Husband Once More for Iraq

It's been a long road since the war started in Iraq. Families have been torn apart by the deaths associated with the war. Others just wish they'd have the chance to see their loved one soon. However, for many others, just to keep their husband home is a challenge.

Shelby Hanson, 22, grew up in Swartz Creek, Michigan, a suburb of Flint. She went to school in Swartz Creek and that's where she met her future husband. Marc Howard was a tough boy and that's what attracted Shelby to him. They dated for many years. After breaking up, they found their way back together.

In 2005, Shelby moved to Texas with Marc where he was stationed for the army. They eventually got married and had a baby girl.

Deployed to Iraq, Marc was able to visit home during the holidays. However, in late 2006 Marc returned home due to a gun shot accident. Marc's team had miscommunication problems, and as a result came in the crossfire of gun shots. He was hit in his face. An inch away from his right eye, Marc has had several reconstructive surgeries to correct the damage done. Angry and hurt, Shelby was concerned for her child's well-being and her own mental health. She decided to leave Marc.

"It was the hardest thing I've had to do. I just couldn't take the thought of 'What if I get that call'," she says.

"After the divorce was final, we went about our own paths. I moved back home to Michigan."

After just a few short months of being apart, the two could not stand to be apart any longer. They reunited for the sake of their long term love and their daughter.

"We broke up a few times in high school. We met again after we graduated and got married. Divorced. I just can't live without him," Shelby continues.

But despite the reason she divorced Marc the first time, she is more accepting of his position to serve duty for his country.

"We're going to work through it together."

At the end of January, Marc is being redeployed over to Iraq. After a hard relationship due to the long months apart, they will be holding on waiting for the day he comes home for good.

"He has to go serve the country well. It's hard to deal with, but I have to accept it and wait for the day he comes home to me and Charlotte," Shelby says.

"It's been a long road together, starting in high school. We have a baby together. He's protecting our country. I have to be proud of him. We can't give up now."

Marc is expected to be in Iraq until May when he will make his first visit back home. He will return home again in September, then again for the Christmas holiday.

"It'll be hard to be alone. When he's done in Iraq, we'll get married again."