So near yet so far

My man in uniform

"Loving a military man is not hard. The distance is hard, the worry is hard, the sacrifices are hard. But loving him...that's the easiest thing I've ever done."

This weather's making me feel emotional :P let me tell you guys about our (cheesy) story and how it feels like to be a military S.O....

college days circa 2006

My boyfriend and I have been together for 6 years, I've known him since college and we were inseparable ever since, or so I thought. After college both of us were having a hard time getting jobs as nurses; he then decided to join the Philippine Army. At first I didn't approve his decision, I was all worried that he might be stationed in a far province and I might not spend the time with him just like we used to and I was also starting to worry about his safety when he becomes a soldier. In the end, He made me realize that he was doing this for the both of us, a secure life for his family.

It was so hard not seeing or talking to him for his whole military training. Writing letters, texting or even phone calls were prohibited. I was so worried that I don't know what was happening to him; this was a far cry from times we spent together when we were still in college. I was crushed that I never got to talk to him, how my day went or the problems that I had within the day. I cry everywhere, anytime and its kinda embarrassing, my friends make fun of me sometimes. 

I then decided to write a journal; I write on it as if it were individual letters that were addressed to my soldier; it gave me relief that somehow he'll have the chance to read my it and he wouldn't feel that he missed out on my life while he was away.

My journal of letters for him

I also made a scrapbook, clippings from the newspaper or magazine, photos and other mementos of the things that happened while he was in Military training. Cutting and pasting paper was therapeutic for me, I had to keep myself busy.

A scrapbook photos, bus tickets and cellphone load cards while he was away

Then after 4 months, I got a call from him. I remembered we were both quiet in that first call. Maybe there were just a lot of things that we wanted to tell each other but we both blacked out, savoring just hearing him breathe on the other line, and then his first words to me were "kamusta ka na?" and I would just cry and melt on the other line. That was the time that he called to tell me that he was about to finish his military training and that he wanted me to be there to attend his Open Collar Ceremony; I couldn't be more proud.

This was the first time in months that I ever got to see or talk to him.

Went to Camp together with his family to visit him

Fast forward to today, about 2 years after his Open Collar Ceremony we are still miles apart. His activities would include Medical Missions, Rescue Missions and training his fellow soldiers. In those two years he has been assigned to different provinces. And now every chance we've got that we're together, we make sure that we get the most out of that precious time (even visiting me from Tarlac during typhoon Ondoy). Most of the time we don't get the chance to plan our dates just like any other couple, a simple dinner at our favorite 24-hr fast food chain would be enough for us to catch up for lost time. His sacrifices and even the simplest things that he does for me, I get to appreciate more.

Medical Missions

Rescue missions that scare the hell out of me

Life support training

Being a military S.O. (Significant Other) is hard; we don't have support groups for S.O's here in the Philippines unlike in the U.S., no homecoming photos, no care packages. You get to figure out your own emotional outlet and keep yourself busy while your soldier is away. Its true that I terribly miss my boyfriend when he's not around, but thinking about what he is doing for our country makes missing him a little bit easier. I have the highest respect now for our Military, I can't thank them enough.


I'll never get used to not having him beside me, its true that its hard not being sure if I get to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and New Year together (but I guess we just have to move it then). We're lucky that right now we're in the same city, though we don't see each other that often we still find time to communicate  and see each other every way we can.

One thing that helped us get through with our relationship is prayer and a lot of patience to WAIT, to have the strength to continue living even when we're apart, and to have faith and trust the other person. I'm also looking forward for our life together in the future

And with that, I now I leave you with this video from Tide and Downy; about 3 couples who loved each other despite the distance. I literally balled my eyes out as soon as I saw the second couple, watch and tell me what you think. What's your secret for a long lasting relationship?