Dear Soldier,

I know you haven't been there during the most important times in my life, but I just wanted to say that it's ok. You saw me at Prom through pictures and not in person. You missed my graduation and couldn't come with me on my senior trip. Packing for college was lonely, moving in and out of the dorms took longer, and video games are harder without you helping me. While I was eating home cooked meals, you were eating MRE's. With every day that passes by, I feel you get farther and farther away from me. No matter how much I study, I will never understand your problems. No matter what happens in my life, I will never experience what is happening in yours. No matter how much time passes by, it will always feel slower without you next to me.

While you are gone I have worked hard to make you proud. I have studied late into the night to keep my grade up. I surrounded myself with friends who care about me so that I'm no longer alone. I learning to cook for myself and what it means to share an apartment with someone other than family. I grew up. I'm no longer the child you knew me as. I have become an adult who has responsibilities and has hopefully made you proud.

To be honest, I'm scared. I'm scared that you will miss my graduation again, that you won't be able to attend my wedding. Scared that the first child I have will never get to know who you are. Scared that a flag will show up at the door and that I will never hear your voice again.

I'm telling you all of this because I want you to know what makes me sad but to also not make me happy. I cannot express how proud you make me feel to do something that is so noble and selfless. Thank you for all that you have done. For being a person I can look up to and giving me a hero I can be proud of. Thank you for showing me what it's like to work hard and what it means to serve your country. But most importantly, thank you for being someone special to me whom I can love.

Wishing for your safety,
Your home