Service members, soldiers, officers and military personnel often spend weeks if not months away from their families serving their country and ensuring the rest of us are safe…So what do their loved ones at home do to keep them close during the time apart?

Budsies (www.budsies.com), the company that brings artwork to life, has a mission to make the world more huggable. And they are accomplishing this by turning drawings, doodles, and pictures into soft plushies. Having created more than 19,000 Budsies in the past two years, the company has seen its fair share of heartwarming, adorable and loving stories. But there is probably no single outlet more consistent with providing the tearjerker moments than the armed forces!

More info: budsies.com

Meet Anthony and Shannon Rivera, newlyweds from Chula Vista, CA, who serve in the United States Navy.

They deploy anywhere from 6 to 10 months at a time and use their Budsies Selfie to keep Shannon close no matter how far away Anthony is. “The Budsie I chose was a picture of myself that my husband took hours before he asked me to marry him,” added Shannon. “That day was special to us as we both realized we would be spending forever together as one family. I always told my husband I would be by his side, support him and love him always. This is why the Budsie was perfect! I could create a miniature me for him to always have close when nights seemed lonely. Every age needs comfort.”

Chief Petty Officer Gloriana Jensen of Honolulu, HI, had Budsies made of herself and her husband – both of who have been serving in the Navy for almost 15 years.

The couple has two little girls, ages 2 and 5, and created the Budsies Selfies so that the girls have a “placeholder” while mom and dad are away. Jensen said “In 2016, I’ll miss Mother’s Day, kindergarten graduation, summer break, Father’s Day, both girls birthdays, my hubby’s birthday, the first day of school, and Halloween. When we gave our daughters their Budsies, they were super excited. My youngest, Gaby, just smiled and laughed because they looked like us. My oldest, Lily, hugged the one of me tight and yelled ‘Now I can sleep with you EVERY night.’ Our Budsies mean a lot to our children, and us, now but I know their value will increase as we begin out deployments again next summer. But thanks to Budsies, they have a placeholder until I can get back to them. It’s not easy but they know mommy and daddy have to go away sometimes to keep America free! You guys help make that a little easier by bringing comfort when we’re not there to do so.”

Meet Dana Amore and her boyfriend, Captain Joseph Brzozowske, an Air Force KC135 pilot from Thonotosassa, Florida.

Dana, a teacher who often asks her students to write letters to deployed service members, created a Budsie Selfie of Joseph as a way to bring him to events with her. She adds: “It’s hard to miss your loved ones and having a plush of them makes it a bit easier.”

Picture: Earlier this year, Dana gave her Budsie away to a student that wouldn’t stop hugging it. She’s waiting for a replacement to keep for herself!

Senetra Beatty of Lawrenceville, GA, created a Budsies for her dad, Caleb Faulkner, Retired Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army.

According to Senetra, he keeps it by his side and nicknamed the plushie “My Buddy.” “I’m extremely proud of the sacrifices he has made in his 30 years in the Army,” added Senetra.

Megan of North Carolina had a Budsies made of her husband, a member of the Army Special Forces, for their two little boys.

“It’s so our boys can always go to sleep with their daddy, no matter where he is in the world,” Megan added. “Both of our boys absolutely love their “daddy doll” as they’ve become known in our house! It’s such a beautiful thing!”

April Ensor of Maryville, TN created a Budsie Selfie of her sister, Brittany.

Brittany, a Air Force Tech Sergeant and Human Resources Manager, was deployed for six months. The Budsies were created for Brittany’s two daughters to keep them company while mom was away!

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