We grew up in the same places, and our families were so close. Our mothers used to laugh over what it would be like if we ever were hitched. You tried asking me out on a date a few times, and failed. You won over my mom in hope of attempting to take me out again.
Luke was killed in Afghanistan. It hit me so hard, and took me so long to understand why. A young man I barely knew lost his life at war-a tragic loss. But I've experienced so many other tragedies during my lifetime. What was different?
I don't regret turning those dates down, since I've got myself a great guy, but I do wish I had the chance to get to know Luke a little better. His death was also the death of my past. Or at least pieces of it. The death of many places, since that's what he was to me. A compilation of all the places I knew as home.
Luke and I come from the same place. The United States Air Force. But also Grand Forks, ND. And Newport News, VA. And West Chester, OH. We went to the same schools, had the same teachers, participated in the same extra curricular activities. Now that he's gone, I'm not sure I can identify with these cities the same way. However, I do feel I am a step closer to understanding where I belong. And to whom.
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