There's been so much discussion about letters,  I wanted to share because this touched me so much.   In between sending my boxes,  I've kept up a steady stream of letters,  talking about the day, family stories,  the news and one of my favorite subjects: history and archeology.   Sometimes I would think,  I'm probably boring them to tears.   And then unexpectedly came an email from 'my' soldier.   He apologized for not being able to get back to me (which I've assured him is never ever expected) because he goes on missions all over and internet time is spotty.   He wrote a wonderful email to thank me for everything and especially loved the pictures of me and my family.   Then he said he was sending me pictures... and in that batch was a special photo he'd taken just for me of an historical site in Iraq!  "I thought you would like this" he wrote.  I have to tell you,  I had tears in my eyes.

 So to anyone who may wonder if your letters are just going out into a void,  I have to encourage you not to stop.  Despite getting goodies,  treats and hygiene items...all of which he loved and was appreciative of.... the things that seemed most important to him were those letters and photos from home.

 
And they're really listening.
 

YAY! I love when I hear from my marine! I have been blessed to hear from his almost daily thanks to email but I wait so patiently for his letters. And like you I have managed to meet a gentleman who truly cares what you are doing with your time, and appreciates all the effort we put into those letters. I will be sending mine some pictures too so he can see what my life is like, he's already sent me so many of his. What special guys we've got! 

Semper Fi!

How lucky are you!  This is more than I ever expected,  so I can't imagine daily contact.   It's so great to put a face and words to 'your' soldier isn't it?

I realize now reading this I might have come off sounding silly,  but it really just meant so much.   And when I tried to put it into words I think I sounded preachy or something...lol.   That wasn't how I meant it at all.  I know what a shot of adrenaline it was to realize all those letters really were read and cared about and I wanted to share that.

 
I also didn't mean letters were more important than their requests in case it came off that way.
 

No I am sure everyone here understands your excitement! I know I certainly do! My family and I wait for his emails daily we know that about 8:30 EST we usually get an email from him, so we are like a bunch of nerds huddling around the computer checking our emails every two minutes, and my husbands saying"did he write you yet?" and the girls are pulling on my clothes as I sit down saying "mommy read it to me what our 'mawrine'(2year old) said" ! It is by far the best contact I could have made! I am hoping that when he leaves to come back home I get this lucky again! Its been such a positive experience!

Kira,

Not silly or preachy at all! I love to hear all the stories! I wish I had more emailing and letter-writing contacts. I still mail regularly whether I hear from them or not, but it's very motivating to hear back. I always tell myself that the ones who don't write or email back probably need the support the most.

Thanks for sharing your good news! 

I think we ALL get an adrenaline rush when another junkie gets positive feedback.   If anyone understands your original post, WE DO!!!!!  And there can never be enough reminders of the impact being made, so never hesitate to share wonderful stories like this one!!!!