Hi there,

My OH is due home in 2 weeks from afghan after a 4half month tour of duty.

The things I have found that helped me are 1) Keep busy busy busy! sounds simple and ovious but it really does help, Whether it be do a course evening course, take up hobby such as running, thats what i did and helped with the stress levels too although not for everybody, plan 1 or 2 things in each month to look forward to such as girly night in with take away wine and chat, girls night out, going to see family friends, plan a day out shopping (if havnt the money just window shop just beiing out the house especially at weekends really helps even if for a few hours) trip to cinema, those sort of things as looks gd on calender, helps keep you occupied and mind off brooding.

Another thing that I found helped to make it go faster was to have a calender up somewhere mines on door in bedroom and every night before going to bed, I highlight the days box in bright colour such as pink or yellow, this helps as as month goes on you can see more and more pinks boxes and less white and makes the month seem like its going quicker and u can highlight in big points such as half way 1 month to go 2 weeks to go till homecoming that sort of thing, thats helped me sooo much.

Another thing I found has helped me and i know from an email conversation with my OH it helped him is to send regular emails i tend to send email in mrning and evening talking bout my day, things that have happened  etc and even though seems so mundane n boring to me he really loves getting them and hearing bout it and gives him something to reply to if he hasnt got due to it being afghan much he can tell me bout what hes bin doing if that makes sense. Due to my oh being in afghan there are periods of week or so where dont hear from him or comms may go down, which they do a lot, but I still send the emails as know he will get them eventually and reply when he can and it helps me cope to send them.

You dont say where he is, so not sure on ur modes of conversation, but where possible if he has mobile could text each other and keep communication going as its essential for keeping relationship healthy, if no mobiles like my oh emails and blueys are great way to (BFPO blue letters you can get from post ofice) are great way to communicate and can be very personal. Eblueys are quickk and get to them quickly again are personal and i know my OH loved getting them he says its like christmas and birthdays rolled into one when he gets hem or parcels and allows them to have them there they can reread them when feeling lonely or missing you so there good way.

Not really sure what else to write as think covered all the things ive found help, hope this helps in some way and dont worry it goes quicker than you think. Some parts drag, some go quick, the beginning parts from my experience ie first month bit drag, then next fly by then last 3 weeks drag like mad!!!! but it does go quicker if you keep busy, keep communicating and try to continue with sense of normality as much as you can.

Keep your chin up ul be fine and if i can be of help with anything else feel free to message me again Sarah x