Synopsis

María knew how her life was going to be when she married Juan, a Lieutenant in the Spanish Navy. When he embarked on board the Spanish Frigate “Alvaro de Bazán”, deployed with NATO Standing Naval Forces, it was about a fortnight before she was due to give birth. Fortunately, he was able to disembark and be present for the birth of Victoria, their third child. Even though she had to put her career on hold in order to take care of their children and adapt to this way of life, María feels rewarded because she believes that it allows her to see many places and gives her a chance to miss her husband when he is away. She also feels lucky to count on the support of the other spouses. Footage includes shots of the Spanish Frigate “Alvaro de Bazán” sailing during exercises Joint Warrior, Dynamic Mongoose and BALTOPS, the arrival of the Spanish Frigate “Alvaro de Bazán” to the port of Ferrol, Spain, María and her three children’s everyday life.

Teaser

When Juan embarked on board the Spanish Frigate “Alvaro de Bazán”, deployed with NATO Standing Naval Forces, it was about a fortnight before his wife María was due to give birth.

Transcript

SOUNDBITE IN SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES Lt Juan Chicharro, Spanish Navy: “It's not easy to be away from the family, obviously.” María “When the ship left, it was about a fortnight before I was due to give birth. We knew a little about what our lives were going to be like, that I was going to have to put my career second for a little while, in order to keep up with everything that life in the Navy brings. I'm lucky, there are a lot of women here and we all support each other a lot, and we're all in the same boat. “Whenever the kids ask where dad is, I always tell them that he's on the boat and will be back in a little while.” Each time they leave, missing each other seems fundamental to me in any relationship. It's like you're dating again and you get nervous when you’re going to see each other. “ SOUNDBITE in Spanish Lt Juan Chicharro Sánchez-Agustino, Spanish Navy “Finally, coming home and seeing your wife and children again, I think it's one of the best feelings any man can experience. “ “Now we have to make the most of our time together before the next mission and enjoy ourselves as much as possible. After all, it's the most important thing in life.”