I can't believe it's almost been nine months since I got that awful knock at the door and heard those words every army wife dreads to hear "the secretary of defense regrets to inform you." I thought I couldn't miss you or love you anymore than I did at that moment but I was very wrong I miss you and love you more today than I did yesterday and will miss you and love you even more tomorrow. You are and will forever be my one true love, my best friend, my world, my soul mate and my hero. William will forever look up to you. He is a mini you I always find him doing crazy things that I know if you were here you'd be doing it right along with him. He always talks about you, people that have never met you feel like they know you after spending just a few minutes with William. He is just so proud of you. And you would be so proud of him too he is the best big brother ever. He is also bound and determined to make sure Jamie knows how good of a dad you are and that you are a true American hero. And Jamie is the spitting image of you. She even makes the same crazy faces you used to make. It just breaks my heart every time I think about what you are missing. I would give anything for you to just have been able to hold her once. Just please watch over her and William for me if they are just like us than I will need to wrap them in bubble wrap because they are going to be little daredevils. Just always remember we love you same forever and always! RIP my love.

Rachel Nolen, Spouse