Part One.

If you would have told me two years ago that I would be head over heels in love, I would have shook my head. And if you told me I would be head over heels in love with a United States Marine, I would have laughed in your face. But here I am, more in love than I ever could be with my best friend, my hero.

I met Ian before he truly considered the Marine Corps. We both worked at Fridays together. It was strange because I quit in September of 2008, and when I came back to work in February of '09 he was working there. I was instantly drawn to him, although I will deny it because he was kind of jerk. He wasn't exactly living his ideal lifestyle, and everyone told me to stay away from him. Of course I didn't listen. I saw through his "bad boy" exterior. I never though we would ever date, let alone fall in love. I gave him a hard time for a while, then finally caved in and went on a date with him. We had such a nice time, and from that moment on we were truly inseparable.

He sprung the whole Marine Corps thing on me unexpectedly during a movie one night. I believe it was the end of March sometime. I honestly did not think twice about it. I kind of blew it off as if he was just rambling. Little did I know, once June rolled around, he was speaking with recruiters. My mind was blown, and my heart was torn. He was serious. At first, I was honestly pissed off.  I felt betrayed in a way. How could he just up and leave me? Was this going to be the end of us? Why? Why? Why was he doing this?

His heart was set on it therefore mine was too. It was either stand beside him through it, or let him walk right out of my life.

Once August rolled around I knew it was getting close. Something inside me was telling me to prepare myself. The second week of August, we got in a huge fight. HUGE. All I remember is laying in my bed, bawling my eyes out, and wishing so hard that they would call him and tell him that he was leaving for boot camp soon. I wished so hard, with all my might.

The next day, we met up to talk about things. It was a Monday or Tuesday I believe. We were at Fridays, on the patio and the words started spilling out of his mouth, "Sgt. called me, I am leaving for boot camp on Sunday". I closed my eyes and for a minute, I felt like I was literally drowning. I couldn't believe it. I felt guilty. I felt like I betrayed him. My wish came true. My nightmare was unfolding right before my eyes. Why would I wish for that? Why did I have to be so mad at him?

We stood in the parking lot for what seemed like ages. He held me as I cried, and cried. All I could remember him saying was "I love you" and "You have to stay strong for me".

And as the next six days flew by, I found an inner strength I never knew I had.