Dear John

Listening to: Alison Iraheta

So I finished reading Dear John today. It's a great book, I suggest it to anyone who loves love stories and doesn't mind not so happy endings. I like it because its realistic in a heart breaking, bitter sweet,sad sort of way. Not every story has a happy ending and I imagine so many men in their army and their loved ones go through this every day, week, year. If you dont want spoilers for the movie or book,do n't continue reading.

I'm not going to go too in depth as to not spoil it too much, but hopefully I'll catch a few people's intrest. The story, as those who have seen the previews can probablly tell, is the story of John and Savannah. John meets Savanaah on one of his leaves from the army where he's st ationed in Germany. They spend two weeks togther, fall in love, and she vows to wait for him and marry him at his return. She helps him understand his father better. He goes back to the army and they spend a year about when he comes back on leave again and after that he's out by December.

But then September 11th happens and he reupps (enlisting for another two years). Savanaah loves him but isn't able to keep going without being with him and they begin to drift apart. She breaks up with him while hes in Iraq. Later it is revealed that the man she fell in love with was her best friend, a sweet and caring guy named Tim.

John has been in the army for six years when his father passes away and he goes back for his funeral, and hunts down Savanaah for his own reasons. It is obvious when they see each other again that they still love each other though Svanaah reveals she is now married to Tim. They are both sad because they know what they had was real and they let it go,John wishes she would have waited for him. Instead, because he loved and lost her, he is becoming a lifer in the army. They are both tempted to go back to the way things were and forget Tim,w ho is now ill in the hospital. In the end, of course they don't. John goes back to Germany and tells Savannah its better this way, she's marred to Tim and in any marriage theres only room for two.

The book ends with him watching her on one of his leaves. He sits on her ranch unnoticed and watches the moon rise.

Heres an exceprt from the last page

"She pauses and then crosses her arms, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one has followed her. Finally, she seems to relax.And then I feel as if Im witnassing a miracle, as ever so slowly she raises her face towards the moon. I watch her drink in the sight, sensing the flood of memories she's unleased and wanting nothing more than to let her know Im here. But instead I stay where I am and stare up at the moon as well. And for the briefest instant, it almost feels like we're together again".

Its heartbreaking, but an amazing story. I don't think that passage has as much meaning or impact though when you haven't read the book. So like I said,earlier. I suggest it.

I plan to see the movie even if I know they've changed the ending (of course they did this is hollywood, they can't fathom no happily ever afters).