Received this via email - it may take you several reads to get through it, because you may not be able to see through the water in your eyes.

Letter to my wife:

Dear Dawn,

A friend of mine went to visit you last week. I met this friend when I first arrived here in Iraq. I am a soldier, as you know, fighting to free this country from a horrible regime. I have seen many terrible things in my short time here. Many people are homeless and poor. They live in fear and poverty, struggling for a better way of life. My friend was starving and thirsty when I first saw him. His wife and family had been killed by the Iraq army and he was forced out of his home. Our meeting was by chance. I was on a patrol and had to stop my vehicle at a checkpoint; it was there I first saw him. He was on the side of the road searching for food and water; I gave him both. He followed me to our base camp where we talked, laughed, ate and drank together. He visited me every day for over a month. During those many visits we talked. I told him about the United States and about North Carolina, where we live. He never said very much during our conversations, he just listened in awe as I spoke.

I talked to him about you. I told him how beautiful you are and I gave him your picture. I told him the story of how we met and how you light up my life. I told him of our time together with the military in Germany. My friend told me he had been there. He said he loves German food and drink, he misses the sunny days in the park and how he loves the open market places most of all. We talked about many things. We chatted about tragic things, like the war in his country and the suffering of it's people due to the iron fist regime that prevailed for so long. We talked about wonderful things, like being alive, enjoying freedom and my love for you.

During this time, of warm weather and daily visits, my friend grew ever more curious about the United States, about North Carolina, and about the wonderful lady I always spoke of (you, of course). He mentioned visiting you and I told him he should do it. I told him he was free now and the United States would welcome him. We talked for several days about the trip before he decided to do it. I asked him to say hello to you when he arrived. His trip was long. It started here in Baghdad, he flew to Syria first then he boarded a ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The boat ride took three weeks and he found himself in New York. He said he had been there many years ago and had flown around the twin towers. He felt terrible for the families of those who lost loved ones on September 11th. He made a promise to himself to never forget how wonderful freedom was, nor forget about soldiers like me who are defending that freedom.

His next flight took him south along the coastline. He was amazed at the beauty there. During his two stops he relaxed and watched the sun reflect off the ocean. My friend never had a chance to write me, nor call. I was briefed about his journey from friends he had meet along his way. Friends who told me how he spent the night in Virginia after watching the sunrise. His next flight took him to North Carolina. He arrived at your doorstop last week and looked for you. He had your picture and my description of you. I told him to look for the wonderful woman who always made people smile. To search for the one who made others, besides me, happy to be around her. I told him to listen for the wonderful music that is your laughter.

At our doorstep, my friend tried to get your attention. I guess you were not home. He did say hi to our cat and asked the cat to pass the message of my hello and my love for you. My friend said that sometime during his trip he met a lady. I have been told that he is very happy and even if it is true that she can never replace his lost wife, she is wonderful to him. My friend will try to visit you again soon. He has moved into the neighborhood behind our apartment complex. I have been told that he can hear that annoying dog barking all the time and that he has seen you on our porch in the afternoons, sitting alone in our favorite chair while you read my letters. When you finally see my friend, tell him I am doing fine. Tell him that I have received all of his messages and updates (thus this letter). My friend tells me that he sings to you everyday. He said "If it wasn't for the big cat, I'd fly right up to the back door to say hello."

Dawn, please put this letter down and go search for my friend. Look out the back door. You'll find him singing in his nest with his new wife sitting on freshly hatched eggs. He is still resting his wings from the very long trip. He promised me that he would sing hello to you every day. He promised to tell all the other birds in town about his trip, about us, and about my love for you. So now you know; every bird in town is talking about us, and one of them is fulfilling his promise to give you a simple message from me: I love you.

When you hear my friend sing to you, please tell him I said hello.

Your husband, Michael S-------
(U.S. Army)


UPDATE: Check out the comments section; we were honored by a visit from Dawn - Michael's wife.