In most graduating classes, there are always people who choose to go into the military shortly after graduating. And sometimes in those cases, they could possibly be your best friend. In my case, two of my closest friends chose to take their careers to the United States Army. As we walked across the stage, we knew it would be some of our last days together for a while. I won't lie, having your best friend go to the military isn't an easy adjustment. There were plenty of tears, hugs, "see you soon"s, and last text messages on the way to the airport. But then of course after a little bit of time, letters came, and then finally phone calls. Things will change but with effort it is possible to remain best friends. After-all, missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will.
1. Always Check Your Mail
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In the early stages of basic training especially. It would seem like the letters only came every couple of months but in reality they were coming weekly if not daily. This is the challenging stage because you are going through withdrawal, rereading old text messages, looking through pictures, and thinking of memories that the two of you shared. Just hang in there, things will look up.
2. Always Keep Your Phone On
This was sometimes hard due to being at work, but even if you miss a phone call, there is always the answering machine. Now of course, being able to talk would have been better but sometimes there's a sort of peace in just replaying their message to hear their voice. So if your voicemail isn't set up yet, get it set up!
3. Make A Skype Account
It doesn't have to be Skype, it can be FaceTime, Video Chats on Facebook Messenger, anything that has video will do. This is where Snapchat also comes in handy. Along with your screenshot button on your phone. When they finally do get their phones back, you won't even begin to realize how much you have to catch up on. So video chatting for hours will be in your future. So will multiple screenshots of them talking to you with many different faces.
4. Keep Tissues On-Hand
Sometimes it will just hit you randomly. You want to drive to their house just to see them but they aren't there. You want to pick up the phone and text them, but they don't have it back yet. You think of an old inside joke but you can't text them yet. You see old Facebook posts with them on your Time Hop. The littlest things will make you burst into tears, especially in the early stages of them being gone.
5. Surprise Visits
This is one of the best ones. They aren't always the military homecomings you see on YouTube, but at that moment, you couldn't care less, just seeing them face to face is worth all the snail mail, long distance phone calls, and video chats. Just being able to give them a much needed hug was worth all the wait.
6. "This Isn't Good-Bye, It's Just See You Soon"
These are by far the hardest words to hear, the longest and most meaningful hugs, the wettest of tears, but yet some of the biggest smiles and laughs. But they really do mean it when they say it. And by this point, you are able to talk to them for the most part whenever you want to. Don't give up on them if you go a couple days without talking to them, they need you as much as you need them. It will all be worth it in the end, trust me.
Keep your head up, your arms open, and your heart wide, because they will be back again and they will continue to return as long as you're there.
Dedicated to Colton and Konner, thank you for your service and your friendship.
God bless all of our military and veterans.
