Your significant other has just told you that they want to join one of the branches of our nation’s military. Thoughts start swarming into your head. You are filled with worry that something serious is going to happen to them while they are deployed. You are filled with wonder and fear of what might or might not happen. You are scared that you are going to lose the one that you love.

You are filled with questions. How long are they going to be gone? Will you always know where they are? How is this going to affect your relationship? What brought this thought on? Did they always want to do this? Then the most daunting question: What if they do not come back to you?

Even with all these questions that you want answered and the fears that you have, you must remain supportive. You after all are a big part of their support system. They look to you for help and assistance to remain strong and focused on the mission ahead. If they need help studying, then you need to be there. The ASVAB is similar to the SAT the way the questions are worded. The more help you give them the greater chance they have at getting the job they want in their respective branch. If they want you to be their workout partner to get in shape do it because you are not only helping them, but you are helping yourself. When they get excited about their future ahead do not let them see the worry in your eyes and tell them that you believe in them. After all you do believe in them, but that does not mean that you are not still worried about them.

No matter the worry that you are encompassed by you are proud that your significant other wants to serve his/her country. When they graduate from their respective training camp you are beyond proud that you are officially a boyfriend or girlfriend of United States Marine or Air Force or Navy or Army or Coast Guard. You cannot wait to see where this life takes not only them, but you as well. You picture a future with this person and even if that means frequent traveling when they get relocated. You learn to accept picking up everything and relocating your entire life. You learn to be okay with being miles and miles away from your family and all the other ones that you love. You are going to make friends for life through being a military wife or husband.

It does not matter all the worry that you are going to have and all the wondering. Your significant other is doing what they want to do with their life and if the roles were reversed they would do the exact same for you. Put on a brave face, never lose faith in them, and most importantly, tell them you love them every chance that you get. They are serving our country to make it a safe place for you and the future family that you are going to have.