When I first met my husband, he was preparing to submit dental school applications for the second time and was preparing to retake the DAT to improve his test score. I knew nothing of the process or the hard work and determination it took for him to even get to (and through) the application process. My husband submitted applications to over 20 dental schools his second-go-round and was offered several interviews and was ultimately accepted to one of his top three schools.

What I wish I would have known beforehand:

Dental School Sucks. It sucks time. It sucks energy. It sucks money. It. Sucks. During our first year of dental school we barely saw each other. Between lab work, studying, tests, extra-curriculars, etc. I almost forgot we were married. When we did have time together, it was spent recouping from the long sleepless nights and early mornings. - Not to mention the fact that dental school is sooo expensive!

Dental School (Wives) are Competitive. It's not enough to have a stressed out husband, but add dental wives (yes, multiples dental wives) to the mix in a tightknit group and you have a recipe for competition overload.  All anyone talks about is how hard their husband studies, what their test scores are and how they compare to everyone else, the stress of not passing said tests, etc. It's ridiculous.

Dental School Creates Unbreakable Bonds.  I have met so many great people during our time in dental school.  Our church has been an awesome support system during this period of our lives and we couldn't be more grateful.  Thinking of having to leave one day (in the not so distant future) is hard to fathom.  Although I miss my family on a daily basis, I will most definitely miss the friends I have made.

Dental School is a Family Affair.  Your husband may be the one waking up at 5:00 a.m. to catch the bus to school, studying all day, taking tests, volunteering here and there, etc., but this entire dental school experience involves both husband and wife.  WE are in dental school. I never realized how much of a support system my husband needed until he began studying for his first round of boards. WE stayed up all hours of the night studying. WE rejoiced when he received a passing score.

WE celebrate failures together. WE celebrate victories together. WE are in this together.