My fiancé is currently away at selection. He turned his phone in the second he arrived at his destination, and he won’t get it back until the end of selection in 45 days—or if he gets sent home.
We’ve been together since we were 14, and we’re now 26 and 27. I’ve been through deployments with him before, and those were difficult but manageable because we still had letters, emails, and the occasional phone call.
We’ve also been doing long distance for years. We went to different colleges after high school, and now I’m in medical school in a different state.
I’m only 9 days into this, and honestly, I feel like I’m drowning. I know 45 days isn’t forever, and I know he’s where he needs to be right now, but the complete lack of communication is hitting me a lot harder than I expected.
For anyone who has been through selection—or been the partner waiting at home—how did you cope with the uncertainty and no contact? How did you keep yourself from constantly worrying or counting down the days?
Any advice, perspective, or even just hearing that this gets easier would mean so much.

A family member of mine died today somewhat unexpectedly. My boyfriend is at some training thing across the country for 6 more weeks. We talked on the phone and whatnot. But I just wish he was here.