Married for just 2 weeks, we had to say our goodbyes for a 13 month deployment. This was a new journey for both of us. Me having grown up in a military family I knew this would be hard but it was a all new hard. It was different instead of sending my brother or father away I was sending the love of my life away. We had discussed him leaving and even began to plan our r&r trip. He knew that he had to have something for me to look forward on. Arriving at the hanger,tears ran down my face. He wiped them away and said everything will be ok. Hours later the last call to say your see you later to your families was announced. It felt like my heart fell to the ground. I knew this was it, I had to woman up and deal with this head on. He hugged me and told me how much he loved me and said Ill call you when I can. Tears just ran down my face. I said I love you with all my heart Ill see you soon my love. Him now knowing that i got him a gift I slipt a custom dog tag with my kiss engraved on it and our date of marriage. After formation he walk towards the buses and felt that there was something in his pocket. He turned around blew me a kiss and kissed the dog tag. He wore until his safe arrival home.

nicole thorn
el paso, TX