Love is always difficult. It's especially difficult if you love a Marine. I understood the risk when I said “yes”, I decided to love no matter what happened.

And then, in the blink of an eye, he was taken from me. There is no more hope, no future. Only struggle and despair. Endless attempts to survive from day to day.

But one letter changes everything.

Hope and love often come from places where you never thought to look for them, and when you least this is what you are waiting for.

* * *

I was lost and my soul was broken, tormented by the memories of what I had experienced. When I arrived at that old farmhouse in Texas, all I wanted was just to return the letter. To keep the promise given to a friend.

And received healing. Understanding. A chance to find peace when all I knew was war.

We both lost everything. But we found in each other something worth fighting for.