To my love,

I know that all of this is getting to be a bit much. After 10 months this is not getting easier by the day, it is getting harder. I know that right now I have left you there alone, but only in body. You are always in my thoughts, my dreams and forever in my heart. I know that I am in yours as well, so neither of us is truly alone. When I found you, I thought that I had found heaven. Your love is heaven to me after all of the crap I dealt with in the past. I know that you love me without conditions. In you I feel loved, accepted and appreciated as never before. I have hope for a bright and wonderful future with you Lacey. Its just going to take some time to resolve this current situation. You are not alone, you are loved by many.

For those of you reading this, please take a moment (leave a comment) and let Lacey know that she is loved. We all need to hear that at times, and now its Lacey's time to hear..

Lacey in her BDUs holding a custom 12 gauge based on the AK47 platform

Just some thoughts...

Being apart from your family can be hard, real hard. In military families its a little harder than normal. Our spouses are gone serving in one capacity or another, deployed, TDY or PCS to other places. Its much easier to have them here in the states than other places, no doubt. I had a chance to spend some time with Jesse and Gabe a while back. What a treat to take Jesse for drives in the Jeep to get ice cream, movies or just cruising around. I could tell he missed his dad a lot. When I asked him about his dad he would say, with great pride, "he is saving the people". Then for a fleeting moment I could see the sadness in his eyes as he thought about his dad. I could understand the sadness and just told him that his dad loved him very much. I told him that saving the people was very important, but that his dad missed him everyday and never quit thinking of him. I wish he lived here to hang out with me more, I really enjoyed having him around. He helped me to understand that I wasnt the only person around who missed their airman or marine... Donna, thanks for emailing Lacey, it meant a lot to her that you took the time.

To Dad and Mom,
Thanks for everything. You have helped me so much and been there when I needed you in my various moments of crisis. You never fail me or anyone else in the family. You are my role models and my rocks. Thanks