In the cozy kitchen, just before leaving for another long deployment, an army officer shared a tender moment with his wife.
“Sweetheart, I’m going to be away for another year,” he said softly.
Her eyes brimmed with both affection and worry. “Oh, I’ll miss you terribly!” she replied.
With a playful glimmer in his eye, he added, “I’ll miss you too—and these lovely ladies of yours.”
Blushing, she teased, “Maybe you should give them some extra attention now to make up for the coming year.”
His face lit up. “Absolutely! I promise to squeeze a little extra love into every month I’m gone.”
And so he began his countdown: “May”—a gentle squeeze; “June”—another squeeze; “July”—he continued, naming each month with a playful rhythm.
Suddenly, he noticed their 10-year-old son, Michael, quietly standing nearby.
In a rush, his wife exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, Michael! When did you get here?”
After a thoughtful pause, the boy shrugged and said, “Umm… mid-September?”