This Is For You
My boyfriend is in the Army. He just left this past July. He'll be in California for the next 2 years or so, and after that, who knows; maybe he'll be lucky enough to stay in the US, or maybe he'll be sent somewhere overseas. Wherever he goes, he'll be there for another 4 years. In total, that means my boyfriend and I plan to be in a long-distance relationship for the next 6 years of our lives.
The first question everyone asks is, "Why?" Why, at such a young age, would I want to spend a majority of the next 6 years alone? Why would I want to put myself through such heartache, such uncertainty, such longing? Why would I trust someone to stay loyal to me for all that time while I'm not around? Why would I date someone so far away when I could date someone who lives closer? All these questions, and valid ones at that, have one answer. Call me stupid, call me crazy, call me naive, call me young, call me whatever you want; I'll probably agree with you. But I always say, nobody can truly understand something until they've been in the same situation. That being said, not many people can understand my situation.
This is for the ones that do.
This is for the people who know what it feels like to kiss the one they love for the last time, knowing they won't be able to even so much as look at them again in the months ahead;
for the ones who know what it feels like to wait all day long for a short phone call at night;
for the ones who know what it feels like when that short phone call has to be cut even shorter;
for the ones who know what it feels like to hold on to the sound of their voice because it's all you have;
for the ones who know what it feels like to not be able to call them when you have good news, or when you heard something funny, or when you saw something that reminded you of them, or even to just say hi;
for the ones who know what it feels like to have to constantly calculate the hours in the time difference;
for the ones who know what it feels like to count the days left until you get to see them again;
for the ones who know what it feels like to wait by the mailbox for a letter;
for the ones who know what it feels like to read that letter over and over again, smelling it, and holding it close to you, because you know they touched it;
for the ones who know what it feels like to save a pile of boxes in your house so you can use them to send packages;
for the ones who know what it feels like to cry yourself to sleep every night;
for the ones who know what it feels like to stay home on a Friday night instead of going out with them;
for the ones who know what it feels like to look at all the couples cuddling with each other in the movie theater;
for the ones who know what it feels like to look at their pictures every second of the day because that's the only way you can see them;
for the ones who know what it feels like to smell their cologne or perfume on someone else while you're out;
for the ones who know what it feels like to see them walking up to your door for the first time in months;
for the ones who know what it feels like not to take a second for granted because your time spent apart outweighs your time spent together;
for the ones who know what it feels like to know they are living a completely different life WITHOUT you;
for the ones who know what it feels like to see another couple fighting over something insignificant, not realizing how lucky they are or appreciating what they have;
for the ones who know what it feels like to find out that their trip home has been postponed;
for the ones who know what it feels like to have to go through a holiday without them;
for the ones who know what it feels like to know you won't be able to celebrate your birthday with them;
for the ones who know what it feels like to miss fighting them for the check at dinner;
for the ones who know what it feels like to constantly worry about their safety;
for the ones who know what it feels like to kiss them for the first time when they come back;
for the ones who know what it feels like to know in the back of your mind that they could be sent somewhere dangerous, and be killed;
for the ones who know what it feels like to cry every time you hear a song that reminds you of them;
for the ones who know what it feels like to wonder what they are doing at this very moment;
for the ones who know what it feels like to hear that they joined a sports team, and not be able to watch them play;
for the ones who know what it feels like to lie in bed while they are across the country in a bar;
for the ones who know what it feels like to hope they still want you after being away for so long;
for the ones who know what it feels like to pray they're still the same person when they return;
for the ones who know what it feels like to plan your night around their phone call;
for the ones who know what it feels like to be sexually frustrated for months on end;
for the ones who know what it feels like to talk and laugh with them on the phone while the tears are silently running down your face;
for the ones who know what it feels like to be lonely every day they are away;
for the ones who know what it feels like to ask yourself on a daily basis if you are strong enough to do this;
for the ones who know what it feels like to know that you will always come second to your country;
for the ones who know what it feels like to love a soldier.
This is for the people who know what it feels like to go through of all of this - willingly. Not because we have to, not because we want to, not because we are masochists, but because we are in love. And that is the answer to all of your "why" questions.
Whether you agree with what's going on in our world, whether you are for the war or against it, whether you love or hate our president - always support our troops. They are the ones leaving their homes and their loved ones to work, defend, and die, for everything we, and our country, stand for. They need our support just as much as we need theirs.
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