August 16, 2011

Dear Joe,

You’re in Minot now. I’m happy for you. I really am. I know that operational will be so much better for you than tech school. I really am glad that you’re finally at your base… At least, part of me is. But I can’t lie, another part of me feels like this will be even harder than your training. It’s like… I don’t know, maybe up until now, a part of me was still hoping something would change. That I would end up being able to come with you. I guess that little piece of me was still hoping I’d never have to leave North Dakota. And last night, on the phone, what you told me… you said that after you dropped me off at the airport, you drove away, but you had to stop somewhere. You said you almost came back. You wanted to take me and find a little chapel and get married and go live together in Minot. I wish you had.

As soon as I walked through those doors at the airport, I felt lost. All day, I felt empty. Part of me was missing. How can I go five months without seeing you? How can I go two more years away from you?

You asked me last night whether or not I’m still doing this with you. If I’m still going to wait for you. I’ll tell you this every day if that’s what you need, but my answer will never change. I’ll wait for you. Always. I love you forever and ever and ever.

Love,
Amanda