To my hero overseas,

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. Whether it is thinking about you and what you're up to, praying for your safety, or reminiscing over memories of when you were home. You are constantly in my thoughts. Because of this, I have made a few promises to myself as well as to you to avoid any depressive episodes and deep funks. Please hold me to them.

I promise to keep in touch.

I know that I'm not the best at this. I have things going on. We all do. Regardless of (what seems like) a million things I have to do on a daily basis, I will always make an effort to send you a text, letter, video, or care package to show I'm thinking of you. I want you to be a part of my life and know what I'm up to even though you are stationed on the other side of the world. I will not the miles that lie between us keep me from involving you in my life.

I promise to always ask for help.

This is one thing I hardly ever do. It's a challenge for me in all aspects of my life, but you know that. This is why I am making this promise. I know I'll need help and I need to put my insecurities aside in order to be vulnerable once in a while. I know there will be days where I am missing you a little extra than normal and I'll make it a mission to let my friends know I need a pick me up activity to get my mind back to a positive state. I also promise to ask our family for help when I need it. I know it's best to confide in the group of people that are going through the same thing as me and I need to utilize that more. Don't worry, I'll make sure I don't go through this alone.

I promise to be as patient as possible.

It seems as if your date of return is too far away and that it will take forever to come. In the grand scheme of things, your absence is but a small portion of our lives. I have to remember that time will pass faster than it seems to be passing now. Everyone says that you'll be home before I know it and I really hope that's true. The time I will spend without you will be hard and during it, I will be anxiously awaiting the day we bring a party bus to the airport to welcome you back home.

I promise to look after our family.

I know that I'm not alone in this experience because we have an entire family unit that I can turn to. Just like I'll need help from them, I will always offer my services to any of them when they are in a time of need. You don't have to worry about looking over us because we will always be looking out for each other. Focus on looking after yourself since we can't be there to cheer you on from the sidelines. Do us a favor and take the best possible care of yourself. We need you home in one piece.

I promise to stay strong.

I do feel weak without you here to boost me up. I do feel sad more often than I would like to admit. But in these times of weakness, I look at our pictures together and remind myself how elated I will be when you are home. I remind myself that I have done this once before and if my 8-year-old self could do it, I am certainly capable of doing it again. I still have to relearn to carry on as if things are normal because I know that's what you want me to do. So until your triumphant return, I will continue to triumph my life without you. I will succeed in ways I haven't before. I will make you proud of the person I am becoming in your absence. I will get through this and so will you.

With all the love in my heart and soul,

Your proud supporter back home.