Connection During Deployments

by Amanda
(Baltimore, Maryland, USA)

My husband is in the military, and as most people know, that involves deployments on occasion.

In order to not feel alone, stay connected, keep the relationship alive, etc., we employ the following tactics:

First of all, we make a pact to try and stay in contact in some way, shape, or form every single day, be it via E-mail, web cam, a phone call, texting (the fastest and easiest way), or writing the other a letter.

...This ensures that communication is often and alive.

We're understanding, though, if one or both of us can't talk on a certain day; frequent communication is just the goal to strive for.

Even if we feel we don't have anything to say, we still tell each other about our days, or something like that.

I've found the most important time to stay in contact is at night, to "tuck each other in" with an I love you.

We play games online together, and over the phone.

We've done "Would You Rather?" questions and Madlibs when using a phone. We also E-mail each other things of interest that we find while surfing the Web.

We also send each other care packages and pictures.

My husband enjoys receiving stuff he's deprived of from America, and he likes sending me funny little things as well.

All of this ensures that we are not strangers months later upon his return.

It makes for an easy transition by keeping the relationship going.