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Notes-to-go and other sundries. Send a bundle of notes with your spouse. Hide them in a suitcase, a jacket pocket, or even in his spare shoes. Madeline, an airline pilot's wife, slipped a note and a piece of lingerie into her husband's toiletry bag and told him, "Don't forget to brush your teeth!"

Leave surprises with friends. If you're the spouse who travels, leave letters and gifts with friends who'll distribute them to your partner. Or order flowers to be delivered on key dates. This forethought means more thoughts will be coming your way! Tom Wickre, who went on a military tour for a year, left money with friends to purchase flowers, stationary, and books for his wife, Patti. "When those presents were delivered," Patti says, "I felt so special. The fact that Tom planned ahead meant as much as the presents! And they really helped me feel connected to him."

Family photos. Get two copies of a family photo and frame them. One goes with the traveler and one stays home. I take one when I travel on business and show it to people—especially men who are a bit too friendly, despite seeing my wedding ring. (There's nothing like a photo of five children and a fighter pilot husband to scare them away.) Then I place the photo in the hotel room as a reminder of two things: (1) my actions today will affect our family tomorrow, and (2) there's someone who loves me at home and is counting on me. When I'm home and my husband, Bob, travels, I like to place the "home" photo by the TV as a further reminder to watch shows that will positively feed my mind and spirit.

Videotaping memories. Jody Dale, an Army chaplain's wife says, "About a week before my husband, Garry, went to Somalia, we gathered as a family in the kids' bedrooms and Garry read stories to them while I ran the video camera. I captured their faces, the pre-bedtime prayers, and even some of the songs they sang with their daddy. We watched the video while he was gone and still do, occasionally. Each time we watch, it makes us thankful he came home."

Prayer and devotions. Commit to pray at the same time each night while you're apart. You'll be joined spiritually and those prayers will guide you and keep you. Anne, a businessman's wife, said, "We do the same Bible study while he's traveling and share our answers when he returns." Bob and I end each on-the-road phone call with him reciting Numbers 6:24: "The Lord bless you and keep you." And I answer with Numbers 6:25: "The Lord make his face to shine upon you."

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