Hey there,

To start, I know this is hard. I know you are extremely happy for him, for what he's doing, for the reason he's doing it, but I also know you feel selfish for not wanting him to leave, you're not ready to let go of seeing him every day, the good morning and goodnight texts.

Whether you've been dating for a small amount of time, or you've been dating for a while now, it is going to be hard. Up until the time that he leaves, I strongly advise you to just spend as much time with him as you can. I'm sure you've already thought about that, but I mean being there when he wants to hang out with his boys, he wants to spend just as much as time with you as you do him, don't worry.

But also, don't be overbearing. Give him that alone time with his friends and family when it gets closer to the time he leaves, he spends most of his time with you anyway, and you know for a fact you will be one of the last faces he sees before he drives away to the start of the rest of his life.

When he actually leaves, it's hard. There will be tears, promises being made, lots of hugs and kisses. The only thing you can do at this point is text him until his phone is taken away for the next four months. Fill his mind with nothing but positive thoughts, he knows you're sad and he's sad too, but the last thing he would want to talk about is the sadness itself, so make promises that you'll be here when he gets back, tell him you're proud, tell him to kick ass.

Fast forward to the anticipation of waiting for your first letter. Once you open the mailbox and take it out, it is an amazing feeling and you're already feeling a rush of words and emotions that you're more than ready to write him back. The writing continues during the duration of him being away, and surprise surprise, he gets his first pass!

A pass is an hour or more at a time (typically on Sundays) where you get a call/facetime with your soldier. This is the perfect opportunity to give your soldier your undivided attention and remind him how proud you are, how much you love them and how much you can't wait until you're back in their arms again. Those calls mean so much to them, and they will mean so much to you. Soon enough you'll be counting down the days until next Sunday when you'll get to talk again!

You have to promise him that you will be waiting. I understand these months are going to be really hard, you don't get to talk every day, you see other happy couples, you just have to try and stay occupied. The best thing I did when my boyfriend left was to keep myself occupied with everything I could. Find a hobby, start a workout routine, not only will it kill time but it gives you something to talk about! The days you're the least busy are of course not going to be easy, and you will need those days to let it all out and cry about missing him, but never fail to remind yourself what a great man you have by your side. He may not be physically there, but I can guarantee you're all he thinks about, and how he cannot wait to come home to you.

Out of love and respect, wait for him. Be strong. The biggest lesson I've learned from him being away at boot camp is how to be strong, how to grow confidence not only in myself but in our relationship. He is going to do great things, he has started the rest of his life, and he chose you to be by his side.

From one military girlfriend to another, stay positive.

Your love will only grow so much stronger.