Discharge day. It was finally here. No more requesting leave. No more training. No more threat of being tossed into the throes of active duty. I’d be with my family, my dog, and of course, most importantly, you.

I stood with the other soldiers of my troop with hands firmly behind my back and uniform tidy as I waited for the tap on my shoulder to let me break. I finally heard familiar voices say, “There he is! There’s Tristan!” Then I saw you. Big smile, so excited you were nearly crying. I wanted to lunge, and I knew I would the moment I felt your touch on my shoulder.