Day 74

Ok, ok. I promised the puppies tonight that they could write to you, but I'm going to have them hold on another day...Mama has some things to say.

First off, you know I love you. Completely, unconditionally, whole-heartedly, fully... And however many other adverbs you'd like to throw in there that mean a whole heck of a lot.

Secondly, I have never been both so physically and emotionally dependent on one person. I'm a pretty tough chick. I can fix plumbing problems, re-tile a bathroom, hang drywall, change a shower head, fix the car and paint the house. And I can do all that in heels. My Daddy taught me how to take care of myself. My Mama taught me to be nice, how to cook... And how to walk in heels and not fall on my face. I'm also tough enough to know when I don't have to be strong, and I know that I don't have to be strong with you. I need you. And it takes a tough chick to let down the walls enough to admit that.

Next, I'd like to state, for the record, that you are my partner. I know I don't have to ask you about everything I buy or do, but I want your approval. I want you to be aware of and ok with things. I want you to be included in the decisions that I make from half a world away. Everything that I do while you are deployed still effects you, and I want you to be proud of the way I have conducted myself while you are gone. Even though I don't wear that uniform everyday the way that you do, I still represent you, and the military, and I try my hardest not to do anything that might reflect poorly on either of you.

Finally, you have the hardest job that I could ever imagine doing, so it is my job to support you... And I take my job very seriously. I am here to lift you up, respect you, love you, miss you, welcome you home, stand beside you, cry when you leave, hold it together when it starts falling apart, keep things running, and always have your back. I will do all of those things because it's my job, but I will do it all with a smile on my face because I love you. I am so incredibly proud of you. You are a wonderful man, and I thank the Lord everyday for blessing my life by giving me you to walk beside.

I just needed you to hear all that. I love you, soldier. Goodnight.