Military Spouse Appreciation Day, observed each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day, is a time to honor these remarkable individuals and their invaluable contributions to our military families and communities. First established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, this day reminds us to pause and show our gratitude. Military spouses are the strength behind our service members, keeping the home front steady through every challenge.

This year, the Hawaʻii National Guard proudly recognizes all the spouses who stand with their service members. To mark the occasion, we are shining a spotlight on two outstanding spouses, Taysha Fuller and Annisa Budiman. Read on to hear their story in their own words.

Taysha Fuller (Spouse of Sgt. 1^st Class Dustin Fuller)

Tell us a bit about yourself?

“I’m a small-town girl who grew up in Hilo. I’m a mother of two boys ages 15 and 11. When I’m not working, I enjoy doing Jiu Jitsu, spending time with family and cleaning, haha.”

How do you keep your family strong through the ups and downs of military life?

“Being a military wife can be challenging, With the amount of time away for drill or schooling it can test your relationship in many ways. One thing that keeps me strong and helps me get through times when he’s away, is our boys. They truly are a blessing and I’m so thankful for how strong and helpful they are when dad is away. I also get support from my family who are always here to help with the boys or myself when times get tough. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows but we make it through the ups and downs :)”

What does a successful Support Family Readiness Group look like?

“My husband took a promotion for a lead position and was told I should look into being more involved by being a part of the State Family Readiness Group (SFRG) program. At first, I put some thought into it and at the time I was working full time with minimal time to spare, when I stepped back from my full-time job to work part time I reconsidered. Next thing you know, I’m the President of the Headquarters, Headquarters Troop SFRG program, I had no idea what I was doing, where to start or who I was going to reach out to that would be willing to volunteer their time and join me in building this program back up. My husband and I reached out to a few spouses who may be interested and were able to get four other spouses on board. We now have a solid team of five ladies who’s been showing up and showing out :).

Being a part of SFRG has made me understand how it is during drill, seeing how they train, the conditions they train in, long hours, etc. I have so much more respect now that we got to see a glimpse of what goes down.

Being able to put on fundraisers and set up family events is another thing I enjoy doing. Seeing families come together and being supportive is such an amazing thing. We send out newsletters monthly in hopes we can grow our teams and come out stronger than ever. Time will tell and I feel the more active we are, and people will see what we do is fun and how much opportunity they have being a part of this program. We do fundraisers monthly and had our biggest family gathering last year for their Christmas party. It was a great turn out.”

Annisa Budiman (Spouse of Staff Sgt. Aditya Utoyo)

Tell us a bit about yourself?

“I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, but spent most of my childhood growing up in California. While all my family remains in Indonesia, living in Hawaiʻi for the past 10 years has made it much easier to visit home — and for that, I’m truly grateful.

Currently, I serve as the Director of Marketing and Outreach at the Armed Services YMCA Hawai’i. I love my role because it allows me to support Hawaiʻi’s military community by promoting programs that benefit service members and their families.

On weekends, I cherish time with my own family — I have two daughters and two cats who keep life joyful and busy. Whether we’re enjoying a quiet day at home or exploring the outdoors, I treasure those shared moments. I especially love cooking for them and take great joy in serving hearty, home-cooked meals made with love.”

How did you meet your spouse?

“We met while attending the same college in Maryland and quickly discovered we had many mutual friends back in Indonesia. It didn’t take long to realize we shared similar values — especially in our faith, our love for family, and our desire to live with purpose. While I never imagined being with someone in the military, it’s become a meaningful and enriching part of our journey together. We got married in Hawaiʻi, which was my husband’s first duty station when he served on Active Duty in the Army. Since then, Hawaiʻi has become home — we’ve found a strong sense of community and support, and eventually, he joined the Hawaiʻi National Guard, and we started our family here.”

What is one moment that truly defines your experience as a military spouse?

“The defining moments in my life are often the ones that test my resilience and shape me into a stronger wife and mother. One of those moments came during my husband’s most recent overseas military duty. After we dropped him off at the airport, Murphy’s Law took full effect — everything that could go wrong, did. I’ll spare the details, as many military spouses can probably relate to that overwhelming moment when it feels like the world is falling apart and you’re not sure how to move forward.

With multiple challenges piling up, I had to focus on one step at a time — doing the next right thing for my family, while also balancing my work responsibilities. I remember feeling both incredibly proud and deeply stretched. That experience reminded me just how strong and capable we are when we lean on our military ‘ohana and support one another. It was a powerful lesson in resilience — and a humbling reminder that we’re never meant to do it all alone.”

How do you keep your family strong through the ups and downs of military life?

“Communication and flexibility have been the foundation of our family. When we’re together, we make it a priority to be fully present, even during the unpredictable or hectic seasons. While we try to stick to our daily routines, we also give each other the space and support we need to function as a strong unit. We celebrate every win — big or small — and make the most of every moment we have together.

Involving our kids as much as possible has also strengthened our bond. When they see their dad put on the uniform, they understand it’s not just his mission — it’s all of ours. We all step up when one of us is away. Through our actions, we’re teaching them the value of communication, the importance of being adaptable, and why it’s always good to have a Plan B.

It’s never easy when dad is away — we all feel his absence — but in those moments, our children have discovered a deep well of strength. We couldn’t be prouder of how resilient and capable they’ve become.”

Do you have any advice for other military spouses out there?

“Take it one day at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. This life isn’t always easy, but you are never alone. Get involved in your community, find your people, and embrace the unique experiences this journey brings. I get a lot of strength from being around people who just get the military life.

I’m especially grateful that I get to serve our Hawaiʻi National Guardsmen through my work, and through my role on the Hawaiʻi National Guard State Advisory Council. Being a resource for military families — and especially for fellow spouses — gives me strength and a deep sense of purpose. What makes it even more meaningful is being able to include my children in that work, helping them understand the pride and uniqueness of growing up as military kids.

And remember caring for yourself matters too. You can’t pour from an empty cup. I make time to recharge by going to the gym or treating myself to a massage or facial — whatever helps me feel grounded again. Your strength, even in the quietest moments, is often what holds your family together.”