Letters From Tim

When Tim was in Ranger School, I sent him at least two letters a day…often times more. Partly because I wanted to really support him and keep his spirits high. Partly because I was absolutely in love with him and could not hardly bear being seperated for three long months. Really because I was hoping he would propose when he returned. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY because it was my strategy of smuggling food to him.

If you are unfamiliar with Ranger School, then Google it. Only 10% of the starting class actually graduate. And, those standing at the end are hardly able to even stand after losing close to 30% of their body weight during the process. They exist on less than three hours of sleep at night, at best. And, the are given only one MRE (meal ready to eat) per day. And, that does not even cover the physical challenges they endure.

So, getting back to the story. I took anything I could find and smashed it as flat as I could. Fruit roll-ups were a huge hit…sometimes just packets of creamer…ANYTHING with calories. See, the cadre (the instructors) randomly asked the Rangers-in-training to open their mail in front of them to insure there was no contraband food. (No secret…a lot of people had our same smash-the-food-strategy.) Where our strategy went one step further is…if he got multiple pieces of mail…he could easily select the flatest, lightest envelope to open in front of the cadre. They were typically satisfied and moved on to the next hungry guy.

While Tim is definitely not enduring Ranger School again…it did come to my attention last night as we were on the phone that he has only received ONE letter since he left. Hence, bad wife! The kids and I got busy this morning to ship some letters and drawings out to him immediately.

If you have the time, please write a real letter to him. It beats email! Did I mention they are on lock-down on the base? Yeah…a letter would go a long way.

Pictured below are Tim and Tim Baldwin, his Ranger buddy at Graduation.