I just wanted to take the time out to commend each and every one of you for sticking by your mates side. I think its more common to see females waiting for their mates. Just reading some threads by Tuca made me remember that their are men out here waiting as well.
I pray that everything goes well for each and every one of you.

Essie

Yes. I agree and it takes special people to endure this road.

Thanks for the kind words. It's hard in different ways on both of us. I worry she'll (my fiancee) be put in a bad situation and lose gain time. I hate the degradation and indignities she has to suffer like male C.O.s walking in on her and checking her out while she's showering or using the bathroom. I worry about her physical safety. She has to worry about all those things too, AND worry that I'll abandon her like all of her family has. I think for just the reason you point out, that not many men are loyal in bad times, it is hard for her to invest her hopes completely. She has to leave a little in reserve to protect herself against her fear of these new dreams being crushed by abandonment. We met as pen pals and fell in love as visitors. She has two years to go. On Sundays there are sometimes no more than five women receiving visitors. All she has to do is look to everything she has seen and almost all her dorm mates to believe she will be alone again too. I stay devoted to us, help her with spending money so she gets an improvement in her material quality of life, write and reassure her every day how much I love her and once a month make a 2000 mile round trip flight to visit. For now I can share everything with her except total faith in our future. I hope with time and love we can heal her heart enough so she can belive and trust in our dreams 100% .

We got together the 16th of May. I had been divorced 9 yrs and had pretty much given up on ever finding a woman I could ever give my heart to, as i was turning 44 in July. I had dated no one in that period. So I was just going thru the motions of living. Just when I had accepted the fact that I was going to be alone for the rest of my life. Tis sweet angel walked into my life and told me that I was her man and that I had better get used to it,but that there were a few bumps in the road ahead of us. She told me she had made up her mind on this 6 months earlier but she had to end the relationship she was in{with a friend of mine} properly so that he would not be hurt by us being together. Oh and by the way I did the honorable thing and went to him face to face to tell him that we were going to start seeing each other and he appreciated my integrity and honesty and gave us his blessing hoping that we could find the happiness that she deserves. Now sheis incarcerated for the next 18 months as of August 3rd. I have waited all my life for this woman to find me and I'll be damned if I will let anything like a little time apart tear us apart. I write her almost every day to let her know that I will be here for her when her oversized debt to society has been payed with open arms and much love. And it's nice to know I'm not alone. Thank you for listening. Oh by the way fairy tales do still come true.:)

I absolutly agree with Dre's.You guys sticking by your mates side are wonderful and I'm sure they appreciate it very much! It is a tough situation to be in I wish you all the best :)

Let me say that you ladies saying that means SO much. Sometimes a small pat on the back makes it all worth while. My wife and I have been married 10 years and the last 1 1/2 she's been locked up with 3 to go so leaving her would be foolish. It's hard raising the kids and taking care of EVERYTHING by myself. I have a new found appreciation (although I already commended them) for single mothers. It's definately tough, but I wouldn't leave her for the world. Besides, nobody else - locked up or not - would put up with me. Not even me :)

Thanks again. Really.

One of the hardest things is doing hair. My daughter's and now that my son thinks he's Allen Iverson - his hair to. I do my daughter's, but since I can only braid and not cornrow, I'm always on the hunt for someone to do my son's.

Just wanted to add that.

yes I could only hope that if I was in Joe's position that he's wait for me! You are real men! God Bless.

I totally agree with Dre. It is a very tough road. (for men and women who are waiting) And I wish all of you the very best. :D

dlyles - you are so cute! don't worry I am a female and I can't do my daughter's hair either! Her pony tails are ALWAYS uneven! I hope that is your biggest dilema. Keep up the good work! It's a hard road for everyone involved, and most men wouldn't even bother sticking around, nevertheless take care of the kids, AND be faithfull. I commend all you guys for what you are doing. You guys are REAL men! And REALLY good people! Stay stong! And you can always come over to us girls if you need some advice! We are here for you too!

Dre's Lady...as well as everyone here who continues to offer words of encouragement to us...your words are truly "Heart Felt." I too have a fiancee' who is currently detained at the FPC in Greenville, Illinois. We are appealing the excessive sentence for parole violation and prayerfully we will have this issue behind us in early 2005. If for whatever reason it is not God's Plan for us to be reunited that soon, then I stand prepared to wait patiently for the duration of the sentence. This short time of separation is nothing in comparison to a lifetime of happiness with the woman that I have waited my entire life for. Granted other relationships are an option, but in this day where not many people understand the real meaning of character...I am bound to my relationship with my future wife by my word. I am determined to continue to affirm my love an committment to her any and every way possible so that she has no doubt about what she means to me and how special she is to my life. Thanks guys and gals for the confirmation that I am not alone as we endure this storm of life which too shall pass.

Aww...you guys are soo sweet!! You prove what a real "man" is...not the playas that seem to fill this earth!! I think you guys are amazing...I can only hope that Dave would be here for me like you guys are for your women!!! They are really lucky ladies...and I hope that they see that. It was soo sweet how many of you said..."you have waited your whole lifes for this special women...so you are not gonna let anything get betwwen yous". I have to commend you guys...you all get my respect. Keep up the good work!!! Who said all guys are dogs?...I don't see that here!! Best wishes to you and yours. Hugs:p
-Jackie

This is a beautiful thread. You guys are indeed special people and I bet the ladies are pretty special too. Just seeing men willing to stand up and say YEAH! I love her! is great

I think this is one of the best threads yet. You men are truly phenomenal in my eyes. I'm lucky to know that my baby woudl stand by my side if the situation was reversed. There aren't many men that would stand by their woman during this time. It's great to see that you do and will continue to do so no matter how long the time may be. We definitely need more men on earth like you guys!

I wanna chime in here....
I agree with the girlys...you guys deserve some credit...
Most of the time all you hear about is the girls "Holdin' it down" for their men....
You guys rock!!!!
Give yourself a pat on the back!
~Katie

While this is MUCH needed, and very much appreciated. I don't know if we deserve credit for sticking around moresoe than those that do deserve to be discredited. My wife and I were married 8 1/2 years b4 she went in and have 2 kids. Shame on me if I didn't hold true to for better or worst.

Oh, and the hair isn't the only problem. But we're getting there. It's just a lot easier taking care of my boy. I know all about him.

I too think you men are pretty cool..:) God Bless

This is a great thread! The devotion that is conveyed in everyone of your posts is touching. Dlyles, I say the same about my relationship "who else would put up with me"! LOL!!

This women have definitely hit the jackpot, and I would like to think my boyfriend would be posting the same words, showing the same devotion and standing by me, like you guys!

I need Waa home to cook...I am the worst cook and the kids even ask him to send me recipes! We can't be good at everything! LOL!!

I'm gotten pretty good in the kitchen. I think my kids are getting more used to mine than my wife's.