Everywhere news is on, war is on. Many people see the after affects. The bombings and the men running in armor, but few see the personal effects of military life on the soldiers and their loved ones.

Senior Carolyn Malott has been dating her boyfriend Chase for just over two years now. She believes him choosing to go into the military has made their relationship stronger.

“I definitely think it’s made us stronger,” Malott said. “ He had to leave for training in South Carolina in June this past summer, and we would have never made it if we didn’t have complete trust. It was a hard five months, especially when we couldn’t talk for almost three of those five months. But we wrote tons of letters, and I think the time apart helped us appreciate each other more, and in a weird way, our communication with each other improved. Saying goodbye was so hard, but we had to go into it believing that our relationship would last through it, and it did.”

Malott said Chase has been in the military just over a year now. He was sworn in on Sept. 11, 2009.

“This is a learning thing for me,” Malott said. “I ask him a ton of questions because I want to understand what he means and what he’s doing when we talk about his job.”

She also feels his decisions have changed her personality.

“I’ve become much more patient, and I’m a ton better at listening,” Malott said. “I appreciate him so much more now, especially the little things he does for me. I missed them so much when he was gone, and I’m trying not to take advantage of them now.”

The military has changed the way she values their relationship and her appreciation for the military.

“I try not to pick dumb fights and really value and enjoy our time together because he’ll have to be gone for extra training and drill, or there’s always the possibility that he could be ordered to deploy,” Malott said. “ I’m so proud of him, and even though it’s hard, I support him doing what I know he really wants to do. Not only do I appreciate him more, but now I have a much bigger appreciation for all the men and women that serve as well as their families.”