We had known each other in high school. We were always stuck with each other in everything and I had a decent connection with him since he was the best friend of my sister’s boyfriend.
At the time, I was dealing with a breakup and he messaged me on Facebook. We had the usual small talk, and I found out it that he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. And then, we talked more and dug deeper, and he helped me through my breakup.
He agreed that if I was still single when he received leave and came home he would take me out. He told me that he finally got the courage to ask me out after all the years we had spent together in high school. We started talking more every day and it got to the point where I couldn’t go a day without speaking to him. We became inseparable.
That following summer he came home and I greeted him with our very first kiss, the biggest hug I had ever given, and a very cheesy poster. Finally, I thought, he was home.
We went on dates, saw movies and played video games together, and I realized I found my favorite person. But then, the sad time came and he had to go back to Japan. I cried for a week straight. Having your loved one being around you every second for a month then he is gone the next day was heartbreaking. I never got used to it.
Being in a long distance relationship gives you weak spots.
You crave love and attention of someone always being there for you–not just a phone call away, but by your side every step of the way. These weak spots hurt the relationship for both people.
You begin to fear losing that person.
Every day we would wake up and talk to each other over FaceTime and go to sleep over FaceTime; he was there for my highs and for my lows. But, the love didn’t stop there.
The next visit home flew by, it was Christmas time and our one year anniversary. I received a promise ring and life could not be better. I was with the person who made me the happiness. We loved each other unconditionally.
I thought nothing would ever break us apart, especially distance.
As school got harder for me and he began to carry more responsibility for his unit, we no longer had the time we wanted to spend with each other. We started to grow apart. I was losing my best friend. Right before our two year anniversary, we agreed that it would be best for both of us if we focused on ourselves.
What I learned most about being in a military long distance relationship or any relationship is that you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else, get your priorities straight, and never stop saying “I love you”.
We still speak to this day and my heart will always have a place for him.