I would like to wish a very happy (and slightly belated) birthday to the most incredible man in my life. I am beyond proud of you, my love. I had hoped that once we were married, we would be together for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. Unfortunately, you’re in Yuma, AZ for a bit longer. The celebration will just have to wait until you return. However, I want to thank you for a few things.
Thank you for serving our country and providing for our family. I am so proud of you and your dedication to your work. You wake up before dawn, take part in exhausting training, sacrifice home-cooked meals in exchange for gross MRE’s, go months without seeing your family (or mine), and even participate in night training before you finally get to close your eyes. You’ve been outside in the elements 24/7 since you left for this particular training stretch, and still have a few weeks to go. You rarely complain, even when it’s been ages since you’ve enjoyed air conditioning, a bed, or a beer. You never fail to check in with me and ask how I’m feeling. You constantly put others before yourself without a second thought. For all these reasons and more, you make me proud to call you mine.
Thank you for loving me so fiercely. I still feel like we’re dating. You make every day feel exciting and new. I still get butterflies when I see your name on my caller ID. I could still talk to you for hours on the phone every night, just like when we first met. I miss you just as much today as I did after and every one of those ‘goodbyes’ in Virginia at the start of our relationship. I’m just as excited to hug you close and welcome you back home.
Thank you for being so patient with me. You understand that I’m still having a hard time coping with our loss. You listen quietly while I cry about seeing pregnant women all over this base, Instagram, and Facebook. You hold my hand and tell me that you miss our baby, too. You reassure me that next time it will be different. You help me not to be afraid.
I love you so much, sweetheart. I can’t wait to cook you a big, delicious meal when you come home. Milo still wanders around the house every day looking for you, toy hanging from his mouth, whining incessantly. We miss you more than I can put into words. Hurry home, birthday boy!
Amanda Douet 