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 What's it like to be in a relationship with a man dispatched to the Gulf? On 31st January 2003, at the request of the community, iVillage launched the Families in the Forces message board. Since launch it's become a lifeline for many iVillagers with loved ones who have been sent to fight in Iraq.
There's nothing worse than feeling you're alone. The supportive environment of Families in the Forces has helped iVillagers with a soldier in the family to cope with the distance and the daily grind of watching and waiting for news. The board has attracted major press attention.
Here we pay tribute to a unique group of women. Below are extracts from some of their conversations:
'We all deserve Best Actress Oscars for the 'brave faces' we show to the outside world - if only they knew. It's good we have each other to laugh, cry and celebrate with!'
'My son bought me a T-shirt saying:
Army wife
Hardest job in the world
Bless him.'
'It's really hard to put on a big smile when all you want to do is to climb into bed and stay there until they come back. I sometimes feel like having a good scream. So, I am going to find myself a big field this weekend! Knowing me, I'll feel guilty for doing that!'
'Thought I'd just let you know I'm blue today. Not major blue just a pale shade of blue. Getting fed up with all this lack of contact. No word for nearly 3 weeks now. I know he's ok but would just love a little letter from him to tell me loves me and thinks I am cool!'
'Chocolate is boring me, crisps are boring me. In fact everything is boring me! I think I'll have a nap...'
'Been in quite good spirits for a couple of days, but can feel myself slipping backwards. I hate the evenings and haven't seen anyone at all today. I miss him so much.'
'Just wondered what songs you are listening to since the war began? I keep playing 'I'm with you' by Avril Levigne. What a depressing cow I am.'
'Music, anything that makes me cry! I listen to anything that makes me think of him, then I bawl my eyes out! God he would be so cross with me if he was here! If only...
'I've been listening to a real oldie but I think the words explain our situation really well - 'Everytime we say goodbye', by Ella Fitzgerald
'I've also been listening to, 'Miss you nights', by Westlife, 'Right here waiting', by Richard Marx and our song, 'Come away with me', by Norah Jones.'
'Bit embarrassing but I'm listening to his Dolly Parton CD. He loves it, and I hate it but have found myself listening to it lots as it reminds me of him.'
'Sitting at work dreaming of my man. I don't know why but I can't seem to stop thinking about him today. I just keep drifting off into a scrummy daydream about him and then rather embarrassingly sighing out loud! Oops.'
'I've just found a message on the answer-machine from him, left whilst I was online. Had to tell someone as there's only my three-year-old here with me and she can't understand why I just can't call him back!
It was my first call in 5 weeks, they've just lifted the restrictions on the phones? couldn't hear him very well, sounds windy, but I think he said he will try later, keep everything crossed for me...'
'Hooray! I got a letter this morning - the first in weeks! Don't want to rub it in for anyone who hasn't heard anything yet, but have faith!'
'I have been sitting cross legged on the floor in front of the computer since 5.15 this afternoon, only having wee breaks and to get some pasta for dinner.There are three reasons I don't want to leave:
1) I will miss you all
2) I might miss something!
3) I honestly think my back has reset itself to this crouching-over position and I might do serious damage getting up!'
Have a look at what the ladies on the Families in the Forces message board are discussing LIVE now:
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