'What do I do now?': Agony of a girl who found new love after he told her not to wait for him - as he is finally freed after five years

Monica,

For five long years Monica Lee has been anxiously waiting for news of her soldier boyfriend, who was captured by the Taliban. On Saturday morning she finally got the call she had been waiting for. 

As she backpacked with friends in remote Idaho mountains, her mom, Allison called with unexpected - but long hoped for - news. 

With poor cell phone reception, Mrs Lee had only enough time to tell Monica that Bowe Bergdahl was safe and on his way home. The stunned 25-year-old simply asked her mom: 'What do I do now?'

After years of waiting - and with Bowe's blessing - Monica has moved on with her life. Mrs Lee confirmed to MailOnline that although her daughter still cares deeply for Bowe, she is no longer romantically involved with him.

On Facebook she shares multiple pictures of a man who appears to be her new boyfriend and just weeks ago lovingly posted a picture of the two of them together.

'She was told to go on with her life, but she waited a long time,' Mrs Lee said. 'It's been pretty emotionally draining and she's had her ups and downs. The sheer loneliness has been pretty tough on her.'

Bowe Bergdahl

 Since 2012 Monica has posted pictures online with the man who appears to be her new boyfriend, Justin Forsdick. 

The two are pictured enjoying the wilderness and carving pumpkins for Halloween. They underline the difficult dilemma the young woman now faces with her captive boyfriend returning while she's in a well-established relationship. 

Monica and her family have known Bowe since he was a little boy, and used to attend the same church as his parents. 

'She was very surprised and excited to hear he'd been freed. We've been praying daily for his release and safety,' Mrs Lee told MailOnline.

'His capture was of great concern to her. She and the Bergdahls support each other a lot, and Monica was involved in their campaign.'

Her relationship with Bowe's parents is clearly supportive, with the soldier's mother, Jani, even commenting about how happy Monica looks in a photo of her and Justin.

Moving on: Bowe told Monica not to wait for him. She is pictured, left, with her boyfriend Justin Forsdick

Sadly, Monica was forced to take a step back from the efforts to bring Bowe back, because she needed to search for work.

With no apparent end in sight to his captivity, Bowe eventually sent a message to Monica telling her not to wait for him. 

Mrs Lee said that Bowe had wanted to protect Monica, and tried to keep her out of his hostage situation so she wouldn't feel obligated to him.

'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,' her mother said.

'She's learned a lot to be quiet about how she feels but she has always been very supportive of Bowe, and very anxious about him.'