Over the next year, John and Savannah send letters back and forth. Sometimes the letters arrive late, especially when John is out on assignment, but Savannah insists on writing letters; she likes the image she has of him opening the letter and reading it. The two exchange photos, and John looks at his picture of Savannah every day and feels like the specifics about her are slipping away. The holidays pass, and he splurges on a phone call. In January 2001, John begins to count down the days until he is out of the Army. His summer leave approaches, and he plans to spend a week in Chapel Hill with Savannah, who has graduated and is beginning work on her master’s degree, and also meet her parents at their home. Then Savannah will go with John to Wilmington to spend time with his dad.

John lands in Raleigh, and he and Savannah are reunited. John is nervous about seeing Savannah and unsure how to act, but he forgets it all when he sees her. The pair travel to Savannah’s parents’ house in Lenoir. The first night, Savannah sneaks into John’s room, and they spend the night kissing and laughing together.