What I admire most…

…about the diplomatic spouses & partners is how strong they all are. And how differently they choose to live this life.

There is no single path. Some decide to throw themselves into the role fully, becoming part of “Team Diplomat,” hosting, helping represent, and making sure the mission runs smoothly behind the scenes. Others keep a clear line, building their own world in parallel: focusing on work, studies, children, or projects that have little to do with embassy life. And many fall somewhere in between, shifting depending on the country, the stage of life, or what the family needs.

What I notice again and again is that everyone is trying to make the best of a complicated setup. The ones who dedicate themselves fully to the mission bring stability and pride to their partner’s work. But often at the cost of putting their own ambitions and dreams on hold. The ones who focus on building their own life abroad preserve their independence and sense of self. But it comes with isolation or the feeling of being misunderstood. Both choices have their price. And both take courage.

That is why I believe spouses deserve far more recognition than they get. So whether you are the one smiling through receptions or the one creating your own path outside of them, you are doing something extraordinary: keeping your family together in an environment that was never designed with you in mind.

There is no “right” way to do this. What matters is making choices with your eyes open and remembering that your path, whatever it looks like, is worthy of respect.