Memoir Of My Best Friend- "The Solider"

I remember that first day in the halls of Literacy when we were 11. You confidently strolled up to me and asked me to be your girlfriend, before that moment I was never even aware you were alive. I looked into your deep brown eyes and saw your kindness, and accepted.
As a relationship even at that age we were awful, best friends and nothing more.
Then at 15 you told me you wanted to join the Royal Marines just like your Dad before you, I cried for weeks but never held you back. I remember the day you called me and told me you were in. I couldn't believe my Jon was going to be a soldier. Then your 16th birthday came along and it was time for you to leave.
We said goodbye and hugged for hours, and then you were left, so proud and perfect.
I remember the late night phone calls, listening to you sob on the phone quietly so no one would hear you, I felt so helpless there was nothing I could do for you. Then something happened, the phone calls became positive, you were excited and full energy, no more tears.
I remember that day so clearly, me and Chris had split up and I was heartbroken and had no one, my best friend in the whole world was away from me and I would have given anything to see your laughing face to tell me it's ok. Then the knock at the door, I stood up in my pjs with my hair in rags, my face red and swollen from the tears, and answered the door. There you stood, and the first words you said to me: you look amazing angel, where's my hug? I was shocked, gone was my little Jon who called me those nights crying, and here stood this mountain. I surveyed him quickly and took in those new muscles, broad shoulders, straight up and down posture, short to the scalp hair and above all the new attitude. I had never been so proud of you my best friend. You did it.
We had those two weeks together every single day we went out like old times, we went for walks and out for food and enjoyed each others company like we always did. I'll never forget the man at the bar. "soldier" he said "let me buy you and your girlfriend a drink" the man at the bar could tell by the way you carried yourself, you were a soldier, I was amazed, and again beamed. Since we were 11 people always mistook us for boyfriend and girlfriend and we never corrected them it was just easier than explaining our relationship. People never believed there was nothing more than friends between us. You went back after two weeks but this time it wasn't so hard, you would be back soon enough and we would have time together again.

No matter where you were you never ever forgot me, I had letters from Kenya, northern Ireland, Russia, Yemen and was always relieved to hear from you. Then you called me from Aldershot. "finally" you said "I'm going to Afghanistan, 6 months ill be gone" you were so excited, I was terrified.
You left in the October, and were due home in the April.

I don't remember your funeral. Im told it was beautiful, that you would have been proud. They tell me the words I said broke every heart, I don't remember them. Its you I remember every single day, and now a year later i finally opened that last letter, the one that came after you died, I read it silently. I have never told another living soul the words. Here goes.

"My love,
After all that's what you are not my friend let's get it right! When I come home, marry me? Pick out your ring, pick out your dress, let's get married. In 2 months, you'll be my wife. Don't look at me like that, it makes sense angel I want to be yours and you mine. I remember when I walked up to you in the halls at school and you didn't even know my name but I knew yours I scribbled it into my books weeks before. The bravest thing up until now I have ever done was ask you to be my girlfriend. Now the bravest thing I have done, is asking you to be my wife.
See you soon chick!
Forever

11 years have passed since that day in the hallway Jon and I thank my stars every day for knowing you. Sleep well my love.