They are gone

As of today, the men are gone.

They have packed their bags, they have boarded the planes..they have flown to far away countries. As couples we exchanged hugs, kisses, last minute embraces and then said our goodbyes til the next time we would meet.

As friends, we laughed, joked, tried to act like this wasn't really happening. Tried to hold on to a sense of normalcy for as long as we could. Then the time came, tears began to flow..and goodbyes took place. Today, this deployment feels as real as it ever has.

For the past two weeks my husband has been gone, but it hasn't felt as though he was sent off across the world. Sure, we've been dealing with crazy time changes, phone calls at 1 am, but I had it in my head he was only out in the field. After all, with our best friends still home..it certainly felt that way.

Now, my husband is gone..my best friends are gone and this deployment is real. They aren't just being sent off for another training session, they aren't just 'playing' war.

I miss my husband, I miss my friends..I want this nightmare to be over.