Saying goodbye is the worst feeling, especially when you have no clue when you will see him again. I always thought those relationships never worked out. Receiving gifts in the mail is spontaneous and a way to keep the relationship alive after months apart.Not seeing him for a long period of time, dealing with an inconsistent schedule and taking the relationship day-by-day can be exhausting. Flowers, letters, books and other thoughtful goodies remind me of him while he’s gone. You keep the relationship going by creating new ideas to do together.

Let’s be real: Long-distance relationships suck, especially if it involves someone serving in the military.

My boyfriend is a soldier in the United States Army. Understand that these guys have to deal with things that the average person couldn’t imagine.

Though I’m no stranger to military men (my grandfather, father and brother were all enlisted), this is the first time I have dated a soldier. I’ve seen a lot of websites that list ten things an Army girlfriend should remember and do, and some of them made great points. And your honey could be shipped out at any time, for months or years. Many of these are difficult and sometimes disturbing. If he wants to talk about his life in the Army, be it the crazy times with the guys in his unit, the tedium of the everyday, or even the tougher times, let him be the one to broach the subject.

Truth be told, it’s hard for them to turn this off.

That coupled with the stress and exhaustion that comes with Army life can make it hard for him to spend lots of time planning things for the two of you to do together.