Dear Military Couples,

It's been four months since I've seen my boyfriend. He's not in the military, he's just working halfway across the country right now. The distance sucks. There is a constant subconscious feeling that something is missing. Facetime, texting, and emails are nice, but they can't replace real hugs, hand-holding, and kisses. I plan my life around each virtual interaction, but at the end of the day I know man will be coming home eventually. You don't have that guarantee.

That is why I'm writing this letter.

I don't know how you do what you do. I can't imagine being separated from my man and not knowing if he's going to come home ever again, or going through long periods of time where I have no idea where in the world he is, what he's doing, or if he's safe. That must be incredibly lonely. Any separation from a loved one is hard; but yours must be a million times harder.

So I want to say thank you.

It is because of your sacrifice that I have the guarantee that my man is coming home.

Thank you for having the courage and strength I could never have to do what you are doing. I'm sorry for taking it for granted so much. I've realized since grade school I've thought of freedom as this thing we've just had since the revolutionary war, but that's not true. It's something you give us by working and sacrificing yourselves and your family every day.

For whatever it's worth, I appreciate you and admire you so much. You and the safety of your loved ones are in my prayers.

Thank you.