I'm the Military Girlfriend...

I hold no formal recognition with the powers that be. I am at the bottom of the chain. I hold no Military ID card; I am not a "dependent" or a parent. The man I love may face unspeakable dangers, and I am at the mercy of those who possess this recognition for news. I am trying to understand and accept this. I have promised to be here for him upon his return, no matter how long he is away. People may say I am insane for making such a commitment with no guarantees, but I hold onto our promises and have faith that he will come home safe to me. I know full well that my love for him will fuel him in the worst of times. There is no ring on my finger to symbolize our commitment, though I love him no less for it. I hope every day that he will be able to call because a simple 30-second phone call can bring the greatest spectrum of emotions...smiling with tears in my eyes from so much joy and pain. My relationship is based on a brief communication where "I love you and I'm okay" will speak more than volumes and will give me the strength to keep going. I take no moment spent together for granted. I hold onto every touch, caress, kiss, every word. I have memorized the feel of his skin, his smell, the sound of his voice, and I play it over and over in my mind so that I will not forget. I cry myself to sleep some nights because missing him hurts so bad, but wake up the next morning, brush myself off, and start a new day. The events of the next 10 months hold my life, my love, and my future in the balance. When you watch the news reports, you may turn away and go about your business relatively unaffected. When I watch news stories of the war I will not see nameless soldiers a half a world away. I see individuals who will be forever changed by war. News of every casualty will cause me physical pain and deep sadness. When you say your prayers for the husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, please don't forget about me. I am just a military girlfriend.