Day 57/Week 9

It's hard for me to fathom that you've been gone 8 full weeks. It seems so much shorter when you count the weeks, as opposed to days... But believe me, it feels like an eternity.

Jenn came over tonight for our weekly Bachelor viewing. We always sit and talk after the show for a while about those random things that we go through that spouses outside of this life will never understand. The reality is that we face things as part of our normal lives and conversation that others will only imagine in their worst nightmares.

How many times before you left did we start discussions with the words "I know this is not something you ever want to talk about, but we have to..."? Those are the worst, and they make me cry, but it's part of our life together. Bizarre part about that is that it brings us closer together.

It's kind of the same with the wives. We have a common ground that we will always share. Sure, our relationships with our husbands are different, but we know the same loneliness, the difficulties, the heartbreak. Just as you have your battle buddies, I have mine. We fight a different war, and we are just as ready as you are for that war to end. The sweetest part of deployment for us, is the day your boots hit US soil. We just want you all to come home... That's when we can lay down our armor.

Around my neck I wear your dog tags and your wedding ring. I will wear them until you take them from me. They are a constant reminder that you are always with me, and that this is only temporary... And it IS only temporary. We're almost halfway through this mess of a first deployment! The Lord will see us through this, and we are already stronger and more in love because of it.

You are always in my thoughts and prayers. There isn't a five minute period that passes when I don't think of at least three things I want to tell you... And of course, by the time I talk to you, I've forgotten most of them. You carry all of my heart with you. Please keep it safe. I love you more with each breath I take. Be smart.

Goodnight, soldier. I'll see you in my dreams tonight. I love you.