In May of 2013, I had the most amazing thing in the world happen to me, I fell in love. For any of you that have ever been in love, you know what I’m about to describe. For those who haven’t, you have something to look forward to. I’m not the kind of person to go crazy over being in love right away. I mean, the saying goes “All good things must come to an end.” - Geoffrey Chaucer. For me, most of the things or relationships that I have had, have never lasted long. This relationship was different.

We dated for three and a half months before we began the long distance journey. From being together everyday, to seeing each other once every few weeks, to once every few months. The goodbye was the worst, I cried for days because I missed him so much. The change happened fast and at first it was so hard. School started shortly after he left and I was occupied for a while. We counted the days and before we knew it, the first year of long distance was done.

We started year two; that was the hardest. We went from Delaware to Virginia, to Delaware to Colorado. From just a few hundred miles to over two thousand. Now that year was extremely hard. My boyfriend started basic training for the United States Air Force Academy in June of 2014. The military girlfriend life has been hard, but all this long distance is so worth it. I think that being a military girlfriend has been so rewarding. Loving someone in the military is just such a gift.

Some people say it won’t last, along with a bunch of other things. I have heard that more times than I can count, but the one thing I really am tired of hearing is “He’s probably seeing someone else behind your back.” That is just ridiculous. Some guys have done that, but a man wouldn’t. He is a man, and a true man of the Lord and that is what makes him so great. What every great relationship needs, distance or not, is trust. Without it, you don’t have a relationship. Some people don’t understand the whole being glued to your cell phone, always checking the mail for his letters, and always talking about him. Then again, they probably aren’t long distance with their significant other.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been days where I feel so lonely, lost, depressed, upset, empty, distraught, and sad. Days where I feel like if I even think about him I burst into tears. Trust me, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Knowing that I have him though, that’s what makes it all worth it. The love between us makes everything worth it. When you find someone that makes everything seem happy and someone that makes you feel like a better you, it all becomes worth it. Every goodbye, every late night phone call, and every hand written letter. It is all worth it for the love of your life.

Our favorite saying has quickly become

“Distance is to love, what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, but ignites the great.” - Unknown,

and we are the great.