Ask the Milies: Sending off your loved one

by Kerry-Ann Ellington, Ask the Milies

Dear Milies, 

Hi, my husband is deploying in several weeks, and I have 2 projects I have finished so far to send with him. One is a What I Love About You book I filled out, and another is a bag full of little notes (one for each day he's there). I was wondering if you ladies had anymore ideas for things I could do to let him know I love him and distance will never change that. We have a great relationship, but this is our first deployment and I'm just looking for little ideas to send with him.

~Lindsey

Lindsey, I think what you're doing to show your love and support to your hubby is absolutely adorable and so sweet. You seem to have a pretty good handle on how best to support your hubby. My only suggestion to you would be to write a letter or sweet note or draw a picture and mail it everyday that way he'll receive at least one item from you each day. This will get his mind off having to be away from you and from having to fight in a war. It's something he can look forward to everyday and something you both will remember for the rest of your lives.

Funny story - During my husband's 1st deployment at the beginning of "Operation Iraqi Freedom" I had no idea what to send or when to send packages and although I sent my hubby off with a few letters I ended up sending him a HUGE care package filled with goodies and gathered up all our friend's/family's letters and mailed it in the package. What I didn't realize was the fact that the package would take a while to get there and while he was waiting for the package no one was mailing him letters on a daily basis so during mail call, everyone except him would receive letters. It took so long that his C.O. pulled him to the side some days to ask him if he was okay. I had no idea whether he got the package or not since I didn't have open communication with him since the war was brand new. He eventually received the package with his goodies and was VERY happy about it. It's funny now but I felt horrible at the time. 

This is why I say that mailing at least 1 item a day will help him tremendously. Even if its a cute poem or just sending him kisses on a card, he'll greatly appreciate it. 

~Kerry-Ann