First thing’s first, how are you doing? I know people probably ask you that all the time, but really when they’re asking they typically want to know how he is doing or how bad it sucks not to see him because no one else truly gets it unless they’ve been in your shoes. So I want you to really think about yourself for a second.

I know every day is different and you worry about the next or current deployment, new jobs, assignments, PCS-ing, and on top of it all, you probably have a huge paper due on Friday that you haven’t even started, let alone thought about. I get it. There’s a lot on your mind. But this is my reminder to us all. I say us because I’m guilty of these things myself.

While our men are out there working their asses off every day, protecting our country, we should be back home working our asses off in school so we can get our degree, move out on our own and establish ourselves. It’s too easy for us to sit in our rooms, feeling sad and lonely. We all have those days where some are harder than others and all we want is them by our side and that's okay. But we’ve got to remember to look out for ourselves, too, and focus on our own personal goals. I think a lot of the time we seem to get wrapped up in the fairytale story of it all, which is totally fine, but I’ve realized, for myself at least, that it’s so important to put myself first right now in order to better my future not just for me, but for my future family.

Think about your dream job right now. How are you going to get there? Are there any obstacles that you may face achieving that dream? Take myself, for example. My goal in life is to become a sports broadcaster, doing sideline reporting down where all of the action is, or anything where I can talk football. For others, it may be to become a nurse, a business marketer, a dentist, or a teacher. Whatever it may be, do that. Continue to achieve your goals while he’s out there achieving his. Get that degree!

At the same time, you still have focus on what’s important in your relationship. And if you’re in it for the long haul, it takes a lot of work; more than others. I know that you’re constantly making sure your man is happy and wondering if there’s anything you can do to help him out, all from hundreds or thousands of miles away. That takes a strong kind of woman. There are very few out there who can juggle all that we do on a daily basis. From writing letters, staying up all night, waiting for a phone call or a text message just saying they're okay; it never ends. But it's worth every minute. Even when minutes feel like hours, hours feel like days, and days feel like forever.

You know, the funny thing is, I always said I would never date a guy that was in the military. There was no way hell because I thought I wasn't strong enough and I didn't think I would be able to love someone who was so far away for so long. But here I am. I’m doing it right now. He is my priority because I chose to put him there and because I care about him and love him very much.

I firmly believe that God put this relationship in our hands only to make us stronger.

So here's to all of you ladies out there. I hope you continue to achieve your goals, love your man with all of your heart, and never forget how you got to where you are. The sacrifices you make day in and day out will never go unnoticed. You are appreciated.

Sincerely,

A Marine's Girlfriend