An Open letter to someone who loves someone deployed overseas,

Remember to take a breath. I want to let you know that no matter how much you think you might be alone, you are most certainly not! I am here for you just like I am here to listen to anyone else. I tell anyone I truly care about that you can contact me any point and I will pick it up unless for some weird situation I can’t answer. Not because I don’t want to answer, but because I can’t.

The way you love is not like anything I could have ever imagined or will probably ever see. It’s way better than the love you see on movie screens and also a lot more complicated than others relationship situations. But the love I have seen you cry about has given me the opportunity to settle for nothing less in my own relationship. You are the reason I believe that love has no distance. That doesn’t mean that this isn’t difficult for you, because I know it is, but I know also that you are stronger than you think you are! I also know that you wouldn’t be placed in this particular situation, if God, something in the stars, or some other being (keeping all religions in mind) didn’t believe you could come out superior. (READER TAKE A BREATH)

As a spouse or significant other of someone deployed overseas, your life will consistently be unpredictable and that is going to drive you insane! Not knowing where you will be living, the unpredictability is endless! Just the other night I had a meltdown about not knowing my future. I know it’s not quite the same situation, but as humans, not always knowing the game plan freaks us out. Therefore you know that you are not the only human feeling this way. It’s normal, you’re normal! (BREATH AGAIN READER)

Let me remind you you aren’t alone. You will have support in the most unlikely places, and you just have to have the courage to seek the support out. You may have not needed support in your life up until now. However you have to know that it is nothing to feel ashamed about. You may even need to see a counselor, and if that’s something you need to do, then go out and get the help you need. Not everyone will know what you are going through. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a support system or that we won’t try to help you.

I also hope that if you start to miss your significant other who is a world away, you will take advantage of today’s technology. I always think how amazing and strong those military spouses were in the past. They used to write letters because at the time that was their only source of communication. But how unbelievably lucky are we to have Skype where I can hit a button and suddenly I can see your face and talk to you, as well other was of communication through social media? I am not a military spouse or significant other, but I do believe that the interaction might be beneficial emotionally for you. To hear their voice again and see their face. It’s the little things in life that bring us joy and in this circumstance I think it just might help a little. (KEEP BREATHING)

I also know that some of you while missing your significant other might lose a sense of yourself. You will forget to do the things that make you you and that you enjoy. Don’t ever stop doing the things you enjoy. Everyone needs a little me time, it’s in our human nature. So go for that run or hike, start that art project, go out for that ladies/guys night or do whatever it is that clears your head. Writing is my therapy, it’s my sense of catharsis and why I write articles on here every week. So please remember to do something that you love.

So remember to breath, and thank your military spouse/significant other, for letting the person you love defend this country! We all know it’s not easy for you, but we appreciate you just as much as we appreciate them! God Bless America, land of the free because of the brave!

With lots of love and support,

From someone who cares about you.