If you have never loved a soldier, then you wouldn't know how it feels to watch him leave, never knowing when you will see his face again. You wouldn't know the pain endured and tears shed with every good-bye. You wouldn't know how it feels to hope and pray he comes back the same man you fell in love with. You wouldn't know how it feels to cry yourself to sleep for months on end, and the longing to simply touch his cheek. You wouldn't know the heartache after missing his long awaited call or the hint of happiness when you realize that you are now able to listen to the voicemail over and over again. You wouldn't understand why a Friday night on the phone with him beats going out with the girls. You haven't truly felt the lack of sleep until after those long phone calls that go on until midnight his time, six A.M. yours when you have to get up for work at seven.
If you've never loved a soldier you wouldn't know how it feels to go to a restaurant or to the mall, attempting not to notice couples holding hands, trying to hold back tears, knowing it will be twenty seven weeks until your fingers are once more intertwined in his.
If you've never had a soldier sweetheart, you would never be able to comprehend the immense pride that fills your smile when you wear his sweatshirt with 'ARMY' across your chest, or the reason you wear his dog tags: to always keep him close to your heart. You wouldn't know what its like to cuddle up in his clothes and grasp the teddy bear he made you last week, knowing that its the closest to him you can get. You wouldn't understand how decorating the back of your car with bumper stickers could ever be cool, and the connection you feel with another whose car wears the same emblem as your own. You wouldn't know the sacrifice, the willingness to let go of someone you love so much for the good of faceless strangers who would not have spared him a passing glance, had he been in his civilian clothes. You wouldn't know the feeling of uncertainty, never knowing where he will be sent next year, or next week. You would never know how it feels to be left alone with your hopes, dreams, and fears, to have your whole future hanging in the balance of the next couple months until he comes home.
If you've never loved a soldier, you would never fully know the meaning of the phrase: 'HOOAH!' You wouldn't be able to comprehend the anxiousness of waiting for the mailman, the extreme joy when a letter finally arrives, and the tears that follows as you read his quick scribbled handwriting. You wouldn't ever have to send a letter with its stamp upside down to a faraway camp in a land you rather not know about. You wouldn't understand the anticipation leading up to the day when you can once again hold him in your arms. You wouldn't know why that feeling of awe over a man in uniform, has suddenly become a deep longing and grief because you miss your man so much.
If your heart has never belonged to a soldier you wouldn't know what its like to become ecstatic when you see a man in dress blues across a billboard, freak out when you watch the commercial on T.V., and feel your chest tighten when you read a sign that says Support our Troops, Bring Them Home! You wouldn't understand this because you do not realize that he wanted to fight, and as much as you need him, you know our country needed him more. You'll never understand the strength you have to muster up to be strong and put on a smile for the world, even though you feel so weak inside.
Unless you've loved a soldier, you wouldn't know that the meaning behind his girls smile is heartache and longing, pride and joy, willingness and uncertainty, and a love great enough to cross oceans, encompass deserts, transcend mountains, and overcome anything that comes between the two of them.
-Unknown
