Allow yourself to cry. Give yourself that time, but never, ever wallow in it. It will only make the time apart that much harder and more depressing. After that, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward.

My best advice is to not watch the news and have faith that he will come home safe. Get yourself a body pillow, spray the heck out of it with his cologne and snuggle up to it every night. Stay busy. You will have to force yourself to focus at first and it won't happen overnight, but you will find your groove and things will get easier.

Our first deployment was horrible for me. I cried everytime I spoke to my H and was not the nicest person to him. I was stressed, depressed and extremely unhappy. My H is deployed right now and has been gone for almost two months. I cried that first day, got through it and moved forward.

You need to be strong for your man. He is over there making sure that you are able to lay your head on your pillow every night and sleep in peace. It's ok to cry and to miss him. We all miss our loved ones and we all cry. There are still days that I will think of my H and cry.

So, cry and let it all out. After that, chin up, put a smile on your face,be proud of your man and know this: Missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will. ~Author Unknown

Stay strong sweetie. You can and will get through this!

I agree with Jen. Also, the 1st deployment is hard, we've been through this too many times to count in the past 12 years or so.

Also, NEVER watch CNN when you are sad.

Keep yourself busy with things you like to do. Surround yourself with your loved ones for support as well. When my husband went Iraq I felt like I would die, but I am still here. Now my son is in Iraq and it was like reliving the pain. Read a good book,take long walks. Start to gather stuff your husband might like or need and send them in a care package when you get an address. What ever you do dont watch the news is negitivity you dont need at all! take care!!

I agree with all the previous posts. This is my 1st deployment too. I say that the best thing to do is have yourself one really good pity party so you can cry it all out. Then pick up and go on. Find things you like to do or wanted to learn to do, and do them! Surround yourself with family and/or friends! And NEVER watch the news! We're all here if you need anyone to talk to! ***HUGS***

definately allow yourself time to cry, I remember my first time S left me, I was heart broken. But eventually, it does get easier... Just DON'T count days until he comes home like I've been doing; it makes it a lot HARDER to cope with!

You can do it sweetie!

thanks you guys... its been about 4 days and im feeling a little better but still crying a few times a day, i can usually keep it away but when i have down time or am driving i just cant handel the quiet times when im alone when he was usually there. i still cant sleep and its hard to eat. i havent talked to him for 3 days now and thats killing me. thank you all for listening and being here for me.

Honey, to begin with, I feel your pain, and I truly empathize. The thing you have to keep in the forefront of your mind is that this isn't permanent. I know it's so hard, but try to not worry too much over something that you have no control over. I put faith in God to bring Johnny home safely both times he was gone, and so far it seems to be working out for me. Just don't let the pain and lonelyness overcome and consume you. I work all the time to keep my mind off things, and he & I skype every night before bed. It does get easier honey. Just stay strong and have faith.

I first want to say that I agree with all the previous posts. I am currently surviving my 2nd deployment while being pregnant with our first. My hubby has been gone since August 2007 though he is returning In Feb it has been a very challenging 6 months. Cry when you need to cry and always remember that with time the heart heals. Be proud of your man and let others know how proud you are because in the end you have eachother and thats what matters. Get involved in things that his platoon is doing or squadron because its a good way to meet some intresting ppl who are waiting just like you for that same crew of men and women. Hang in there and know that your not alone and at the end of the day smile because your with someone who is making a difference! Good luck hun.

Good luck and keep your head up. Super hard at first, then you start to make plans for a reunion. I cried for two months straight the first time my H left me for deployment.

My H is preparing to head out again too. Time is creeping up so fast, so I know how you feel. It does suck for sure.

Just let them know they will be missed and loved. Make sure they know you will try your very best to stay strong and take the time to some how better your self in some way. Positive thoughts to stay with them helps them get through too. Remember they miss us too.

Just a word of advice, as hard as it is, try to not think of the bad stuff that can happen to him. Be positive. It'll help you to cope, and it will be helpful to him, knowing that you are a rock of strength for him. Lord knows When I was deployed, I was living for all the things I loved on the other side of the world.

My husband got back from his third deployment in Aug. due to the passing of my 3 month son (he died from SIDS). It's hard, but just pray that he will come home safe. If he has access to the internet, invest in some web cams. Keep yourself busy with crafts or school. Keep a journal or notebook and write his love notes. When I was preggo when he first got deployed, I got 2 dogs. They kept me busy and they could tell that I was sad. Just hang in there, it'll all be over before you know it.

Yes, you can cry but think of all the positive ways you can support DF. Plan you care packages to have themes, send email, and pictures. Make plans for the future and share them with him.
Now, make your self special. Treat yourself to that spa, or new purse, or haircut or whatever when you feel blue. Have "girl" time. Next, involve yourself with a group or organization. My husband deployed to the middle east so many times, I threatened to buy property there. Just know,it'll be ok