TOP CHARACTER STRENGTHS

CURIOSITY - TEAMWORK - HUMOR

Matthew "Mono" Monczynski and I met while we were both stationed in Hawaii, just a couple of 20-year-olds at the top of our game who thought we were invincible. He was active duty Navy and served as aviation crew on the P3-Orion aircraft. He had three deployments during his five years of service: Japan, Diego Garcia and Australia. He was the heart of the crew, always good for a quick joke or a shoulder, whichever was needed in the moment. He embodied the ethos ‘no one left behind’ by helping his crewmates train harder, volunteering to cover for those with families before we started our own, and making sure everyone felt included and empowered in their lives.

We lived a fairytale in paradise, rollerblading through Waikiki, playing volleyball on the beach, getting lost on and off the hiking trails. We got married in a luau garden surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the island. It was an epic love story told in 794 days.

Character Strength Story:

CURIOSITY - Matt came to our marriage with an open heart and wanted to understand me from every angle. He questioned so much, not out of judgement but curiosity.

TEAMWORK - Teamwork was such an integral part of who Matt was. He had an all-or-nothing attitude when it came to teammates. They all would do it together or he'd rally everyone and then they would do the thing. No one was ever left out. If someone needed anything, he would be there. If someone needed to be cheered on during a PT test, he would be there with a sign and bells on. If someone needed to learn to drive, he was there with his car. If someone needed help at work, he stayed late for them, with them. He knew that together even the hardest of challenges was doable.

HUMOR - Matt had this laugh that bordered on hyperventilating. When he would tell a joke, he never got to the punchline because he would start laughing and then everyone would be laughing because his laugh was contagious. It was the type of laugh that filled that room and brought so much joy. His humor was based on wanting to bring joy to people, to make someone laugh and include everyone in the room. Humor was the way he got people together, but his compassion was what kept them together. He was a true friend, passionate colleague, and honorable man.

-Submitted by Renée, Surviving Wife