If your partner was held hostage would you wait for them?

If your partner was held hostage by some of the most evil men in the world – and he got a message through to you saying ‘don’t wait for me’ – would you?

19 year-old Monica Lee, didn’t.

Her boyfriend was 28 year-old Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. For five years he’s been held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now, he’s free. Bergdahl was reportedly given freedom in return for the release of five high-risk Guantanomo Bay detainees. The non-violent exchange was completed in eastern Afghanistan and Bergdahl is now being treated in a German military hospital.

Bergdahl’s former girlfriend Lee received the news via a phone call while she was camping with her friends in their home state of Idaho, in north-west USA.

Lee’s mum, Allison, told the UK press, “She asked me, ‘What should I do now?’” She is a little confused (by) what is going on. She hadn’t been briefed lately about his situation.”

Lee’s last contact with Burgdahl was on Skype in June 2009 just before he wandered off the base and was captured by the Taliban.

But he was able to get messages through to his family. In his final message, Allison Lee says Bergdahl told her daughter not to wait for him.  She said, “he said he wanted her to go with her life, and not feel like she had to wait. No one knew how long he would be held for … Emotionally, it was very trying for her. She was 19 going on 20 at the time. It was a lot more than most people have to deal with.”

And that’s exactly what she did.

Facebook photos show Lee together with a new boyfriend from around 2012.

Now, 25, Allison says her daughter has, “learned a lot to be quiet about how she feels but she has always been very supportive of Bowe, and very anxious about him.”

The whole story sounds like something from a Hollywood film script? But in reality, you can only imagine that the emotions Lee would be experiencing. Relief, fear, joy, sadness, uncertainly.

Begdahl’s release has been a slow process. According to a Defence official, he couldn’t believe he was finally free, aboard the rescue helicopter he wrote on a paper plate “SF?” asking if his rescuers were special forces. They said, “Yes, we’ve been looking for you for a long time”.

Begdahl broke down. Finally, he was going home.

Bergdahl may be craving a loved life. But reuniting with his girlfriend – in whatever way – must be pretty far off of his radar at the moment. His parents have told the U.S press that while he appears to be in a good condition and can walk, he is not mentally sound.

His Dad, Bob, said his son is “having trouble speaking English … The complicated nature of this recovery will really never be comprehended,” he said.

But his Dad is sure doing everything to try. Since his son was captured, Bob has learnt two dialects of the Afghan language and sports a bushy beard in support of his son.

His mum said, “I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported Bowe … We will continue to stay strong for Bowe while he recovers.”

There’s no doubt it’s a long journey ahead – for Bergdahl and Lee and everyone involved.