I am writing this to first wish Arlo a happy first year's anniversary since we both promised each other that we would be together for life. In another week it will be a year since we parted, when he dropped me off for my trip to basic combat training, and our promises were put to the test. We wrote each other, I called when I could, and I was lucky enough to even get home for Christmas. He made the long drive to visit the following year, and flew a second time. By mid-July my training was over and I was able to visit on a regular basis again. Living together is a good few years off and that works out just fine for us. While we both build our careers and enjoy our final years of living fully independently, we prepare for many years together in the future! We will be making the most of the next five years, and will be making many journeys to see the other until then.
Arlo, I will do everything to make this work until I collapse in a happy heap. Happy first year together! I love you even more than I did a year ago, but not as much as next year.


To my friends out there: I love you all too, and I miss many of you! One of you is here on base with me and I think it's just great that you are here. Others are nearby and I will be seeing a lot of you in the near future. Many more are far away, some I haven't spoken to in years. I want to let you know, I have not forgotten you all.