Loving an Inmate

All over our nation, there are thousands behind bars. Now a days all those behind the bars, aren't drug addicts, and murders anymore. I have a loved one doing 11 ½ to 23 months, for a charge he already did time for. I never knew much about the legal system. During high school I had a few friends that were in and out of the clink, spending one or two nights, but that was it. I have seen the movies, where the guy gets locked up and his girl swears to wait for him. I never believed that if you were apart from someone that long, that you could maintain a relationship.

I have learned that time has no ill feelings when love is involved. I am a firm believer of that now. I never thought I would be able to stick it out, that I would be able to do the things I've done for him, or the simple task of staying faithful.

My fiancee has served almost 8 months of his sentence. A lot has changed since he has been gone. We have a beautiful daughter. A daughter he has seen pictures of, and got an hour visit through a piece of glass. A daughter he has never held, not even for a moment.

Right after he was sent to jail, my mind began racing. I had no idea what do to, or how to live without him. I did not realize how much I loved him and all his faults until they were not a part of my everyday life anymore. Stupid things like leaving the toilet seat up, or forgetting to recap the toothpaste no longer mattered. I wanted the simple things, nighttime kisses and early morning breakfast.

Most people look down on the family of inmates, because of where they are. I learned that not every inmate is a dope dealer off the streets. On my first visit to the county jail, I noticed a variety of characters. There were the typical stereotypes, young female, child, baby's father in jail. But there were a lot of things I did not expect. I never thought I would see a 45 year old white woman wearing Louis Vuitton shoes sitting there waiting to see her husband, but there she was.