5 things military wives/girlfriends miss the most

It’s not easy having to stay away from your family and loved ones for too long. But for military men, this is just a very regular part of life. Of course, while things are tough for the brave men who are deployed, it’s extremely difficult for their loved ones back at home as well.

Being in a relationship with a military man means learning to live without him for long stretches of time. But the heart wants what it wants right? Most of you girlfriends and wives would agree, that there are some things we miss more than others.

5) Being able to celebrate important occasions

Birthdays, anniversaries, babies’ birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Christmas… the list is endless. For most of us, all of these occasions mean spending time with our partners (and being showered with love, flowers and presents). For women in relationships with military men, however, many of these can be spent in wait.

4) Planning things in advance

Everyone loves planning things well in advance. These plans keep us going, don’t they? For military wives, however, that’s not the case because planning things in advance means risking disappointment, since you never know when your partner might get deployed again.

3) Little, everyday habits

You tell your partner to put the milk carton back in the fridge yet he forgets to do so every time… that’s annoying right? Well, women in relationships with military men miss their everyday habits the most since they’re a constant reminder that their partner is away. With the annoying comes the endearing, so while you may hate the wet towel on the bed, you’ll be reminded of what else accompanies it. For some of us, it’s coffee waiting before we’re up, some others get wake up kisses, some simply enjoy having someone to get groceries with.

2) Their scent

As bizarre as this one may sound, it’s actually very true. Smell triggers memories and emotions and for military wives, it becomes even more difficult. Imagine smelling your husband’s most used perfume and for a split second thinking that he’s there, only to realise that he’s probably thousands of miles away and won’t be coming home for months. There’s obviously also the case where their clothes are neatly hanging in the closet but they smell of detergent, reminding you that the man you love is far, far away.

1) Just their presence

Women miss their deployed military man’s presence the most. Just the feeling where you look from the corner of your eye and he’s sitting on the sofa watching a film, or you come home after a long day of work to find him already preparing dinner for the both of you. Almost everything military wives or girlfriends do, they do it on their own and the constant void is perhaps the most heartbreaking thing ever.