Race for Families
Army widow plans 5K to honor husband, pregnancy
by Josie Cellone
On Feb. 24, 2009, Nicki Bunting was notified that her husband, Capt. Brian “Bubba” Bunting, was killed by an IED while serving in Afghanistan. It was only four days after he had returned from two weeks of R&R stateside.
Four days later, Nicki learned she was pregnant with their second child. Her reaction?
“Relief,” she said. “It was something we wanted so badly, and I felt like I was given hope for our family again and given something to look forward to.”
The Buntings became pregnant with their first child, Connor, on their honeymoon. Their second child, also a son, is due Nov. 3.
To honor the memory of her husband and celebrate military families, Bunting will host the first annual “Bubba’s Belly Run” next Sunday, Sept. 27, the weekend of their wedding anniversary, at the elementary school where they met in the sixth grade. Almost 400 people registered in advance for the 5K at Bullis School in Potomac, Md.
Bunting spoke with MilSPOUSE.com about how she’s honoring Bubba’s life:
MSM: How did you find out you were pregnant?
Bunting: We wanted an R&R baby so badly. We had even picked out names when he was home in case I was able to get pregnant. So everyone knew we were trying and everyone tiptoed around it and walking on eggshells after the news. Finally my sister had courage to ask me, ‘Well, are you pregnant?’
My sister and sister-in-law were both over at my house, and it was about midnight when they said, ‘Let’s just go to the store and get a pregnancy test!’ So when I found out it was positive, we were so ecstatic. I ran and woke my mom up and called every family member at midnight to share the great news.
MSM: What do you expect on race day?
Bunting: Our friends and family are helping to make this as big of an event as possible. We want it to be a celebration of his life and a nice tribute to him, but also raise a lot of money for the charities and give back to some of the great military programs that are out there and have helped me so far – Flat Daddies, the American Widow Project and The Fisher House.
We want it to be a family-friendly event. The track is stroller-friendly and we’ll have a one-mile Maternity “Fun Run.” I use quotations because if you can finish, great! All the kids that run will get a certificate at the end, and they’ll get to wear runner bubs just like the grownups. It will be something they can keep and hold on to.
MSM: Did you always want a big family?
Bunting: He came from a family of six siblings – family was the biggest thing in his life. They are so close. They were the kind of family that had dinner together every night, no matter what was going on in their lives. That’s what we wanted too. He wanted six kids, and I told him I would compromise on that and take it one at a time! 
MSM: How would you describe your husband?
Bunting: He was very kind to everyone, very trusting. I don’t think there was anyone who ever met him and didn’t like him instantly. Everyone always gave him the benefit of the doubt – which always frustrated me! – but that’s one of the things I loved about him. He was such a hard worker, and never in a million years would he tell you he went to West Point unless you asked him. He was so humble, I told him it was one of his faults, but his humility was a big part of him. He wanted to teach his kids be happy with what you have in life and don’t take anything for granted.
MSM: How did you meet?
Bunting: We met in sixth grade and have known each other’s families forever. His sister was my best friend, so that made it easy when she became my sister-in-law. We both went off to college and he was stationed in Korea, but when he came back we met up and sparks flew. It made it so easy for us, because at that point in our lives we knew what we were looking for.
MSM: Do you expect Bubba’s Belly Run to become an annual event?
Bunting: I’m so impressed with the year we’re having already. What I really hope is for this to keep gaining momentum and be something the community looks forward to each September. Potomac is not a big military community, and it’s a good reminder of what our service members give to us. I want it to be a happy event, but one where we show our appreciation for them.
MSM: Can people participate even if they don’t live near Potomac, Maryland?
Bunting: That’s one of the things I’m so happy about! We’re having people run from afar. We’ve even gotten registrations from Iraq and Afghanistan, which just warmed my heart. We’re going to send shirts and bibs and ask people to take pictures that we can put up on the Web site (www.bubbasbellyrun.com). It’s turning out to be a global run. Even if you only have five or 10 people where you live, everyone can run together and we can show our support throughout the world at the same time.
MSM: You have one son now, and one on the way. How do you talk to them about their father?
Bunting: When my husband first deployed, Connor was just a baby. I ordered the book “Night Catch,” which is about a little boy who throws a star that travels all day to his dad overseas, who catches it and throws it back, so it’s there for the little boy in the morning. It’s his favorite book and every night we read it two or three times. It took every ounce of me to read it to him after, and I haven’t been able to read that to him anymore as much as he wants me to. I finally hid it, you know 2-year-olds.
We talk about daddy every single day and show him pictures every day. When I say goodnight, I say, ‘Mommy and daddy love you,’ because even though he’s not here physically, we’re still his parents.
His Flat Daddy has been a huge help too. He carries it around and kisses it, and it was really good in helping him recognize daddy when he came home for R&R.
We also have videos of him reading books. Those are priceless. I encourage all military families to do that. It’s great for kids to still have that interaction. I made multiple, multiple copies and keep them in fire safe boxes. I want our children to have those when they grow up and have several copies of the actual book daddy is reading.
MSM: What’s been the biggest help for you?
Bunting: I carry my Blackberry everywhere, and I’ll be having a really bad day or my son is extra cranky, and my phone will beep and I’ll check my email and it will be a great supportive email from someone. And that just really helps.
Bubba’s Belly Run will be held Sunday, Sept. 27 at Bullis School in Potomac, Md. Registration is $25, $10 for service members and veterans and free for children under 10. After Sept. 18, registration is $30 or $15 for service members and vets. More information is available at www.bubbasbellyrun.com.