A Common Bond

This is something I posted on my other blog a while back. I thought it an appropriate way to start this blog off because if it weren't for the amazing friends I have that understand my life, I would not be the person that I am today.

"The goodbye's are what make the hello's so wonderful."

How many times have we heard this? How many times have we heard this and wanted to hate it, but instead had to love it because it was the truth. Hundreds maybe. Thousands even.

Loving a man far away is hard, no matter what anyone says. Long distance in itself is difficult. But what magnifies it even more is the military lifestyle, the fact that our men are also Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors. Being an extension of the military, we are involved too. We lead our civilian lives, but whether or not we believe it, we also lead extensions of our men’s lives. We learn about the military. We read about it, speak of it, and maybe even dream about it. We know what all of the acronyms mean, and we don't even have to think twice when confronted with military time. We find ourselves swelling with pride everyime we hear the National Anthem. Every time we see another man in uniform, our hearts yearn for our own, and our prayers extend to whoever loves this man from far away. Each of you know exactly what I mean as I sit here, writing this to you. 

I am writing this for you.

For all of you who wake up in the morning, lay there for a few moments, trying to swallow the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach as you wonder where you Soldier is, or how he's doing... this is for you.

For all of you who start a countdown the minute he leaves and continue until he is back in your arms again... this is for you.

For all of you who tear up every time "Far Away" comes on the radio, or who press repeat when "Come Home Soon" plays in their car... this one's for you.

For all of you who see Military billboards, ads in the paper or commercials on TV and next notice the tears rolling down your cheeks... this is for you.

I am one of you too. This is for us.

For all the times we sleep with our phones on the loudest ringer possible, just so not to miss the call that MIGHT come.

For all the times we hear our Soldier’s name mentioned out loud, and are momentarily frozen... in a trance... in love.

For all the late nights spent alone, cuddling stuffed animals, wearing his branch’s sweatshirts and sweatpants, and clutching dog tags.

This one's for us.

We may feel weak on the inside, but on the outside we're strong.

We may be drowning in tears on the inside, but on the outside, we are a rock.

We may want to crawl in bed and sleep until our man comes home, but instead we get up and go on with our daily lives with our men in our hearts. 

We may feel as if we're slowly dying with each day we spend apart from our men, but instead, we put one foot in front of the other and take each day as it comes. 

It doesn’t matter that we’re separated by branch. One thing is the same: The unconditional love we have for our men that spans across the miles. 

We are strong and we are proud.
We have more love in our hearts than we ever thought possible, and for this, we are thankful.
We are thankful for our men and also for each other.

Alone we are weak. But together we are strong.
We help each other.
And we survive.

---I cannot take credit for this piece. Most of it was written by a good friend of mine. I added to and amended. Changed it to make it more my own. But I cannot take full credit. Thanks L.H.R.