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Photo Credits - Heather Binkley
Many of you know our daughter Katherine. I had blogged about her a few months ago, telling a story of Katherine's very first boyfriend, Raymond Warner who made the life changing decision to join the Army.
Raymond was Katherine's "first love"....You know...the one that you'll always remember and never forget...The one that you'll have crazy dreams about when you're 50 years old...Yeah, THAT kind of "sweet, I'll never forget you" love.
Raymond and Katherine first dated the summer after her first year in high school. They dated off and on for a long time. Then they went their separate ways and dated other people throughout her high school years.
Unbeknownst to me, just before Raymond left for the Army this past January, he and Katherine began "talking" again. When Raymond suddenly showed up at our home on the day he was leaving for basic training, I talked the two of them into letting me take a few photos of them in the studio.
Raymond has been in Basic Training at Fort Knox (Kentucky) since January. He and Katherine have been writing letters to each other the entire time. During Basic Training, things are very strict. He has no access to a phone, cannot receive calls, cannot receive care packages, etc. The only thing he CAN receive are hand written letters. So, just like in the olden days, they have written letters back and forth to each other since he's been gone.
The soldiers get very little free time. Every minute is spent training, so when you receive a letter from one of them during basic training, it's a really BIG deal. Raymond has sent Katherine approximately 10 letters...She has sent him about 17. And through those letters, their love has been reignited.
This past weekend was "Family Day" where the soldiers get to finally see their families. Families travel from all over the US to Fort Knox to see their loved ones. Raymond invited Katherine to come up for Family Day. His Mom, Renee and his brother Connor, invited her to ride up with them. She had a blast with Raymond's mom, and they talked all the way to Kentucky.
In their most recent letters to each other, Raymond told Katherine how he couldn't wait to see her. Katherine couldn't wait to see him either.
Raymond's Dad, Chet Warner and his fiance', Heather Binkley, also traveled to Family Day to see Raymond. Heather took some amazing photos and generously shared them with us.
All of these photos are courtesy of Heather Rae Binkley. Thanks Heather!
Raymond and Katherine spent the entire weekend together along with Raymond's Dad and Heather and his Mom, Renee and his brother Connor. Katherine said it was the best weekend ever. When she came home, she talked to us for over an hour, telling us all about her trip.
She said "Seeing and being with Raymond again was like getting back together with a Best Friend that you haven't seen in years. It was like we've never been apart."
Those old feelings that they once had for each other are back. And this time, it seems those feelings are stronger than ever.
Saying "Goodbye" at the end of the weekend was difficult for everyone...Raymond's parents, his brother and for Katherine. As Raymond turned and walked away, Katherine began counting the days until she could see him again....
Thank you Raymond for serving our country.....and thank you for making our little girl so happy! We love you both!
Beverly and Chuck
Raymond will be in Basic Training for 6 more weeks. He'll be coming home for 10 days the first part of May.
Katherine can't wait...
Thanks To Heather Binkley who really "captured every moment" and shared them with us.
That is so sweet. My boyfriend of a year is career Army. He commissioned in sept as a 2nd Lt. I know the feeling of counting down the days. He is leaving in may for Korea for a year so it's going to be rough seeing as the time Zones are twelve hours apart. Just tell her to keep her head and she is probably a lot stronger then she thinks. I have definitely learned that this past year.
ReplyDeleteRayanna
Ps I am a good friend of penny gentry's.