I still remember how scared I was six months ago. We cried and kissed in LaGuardia, clinging to each other, not knowing when we’d be together again. For the last ten days, I’d escorted you around New York, my house and my hometown. I think we grew closer in that week than the previous five months of dating, great as those were. But there we were, crying at the gate because you were headed back to school for the spring, and I was staying home to do an internship. Ten weeks of separation at the bare minimum; I was sure it would be much more. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, but I also knew we were asking a lot of a young relationship.
Six months later, we’ve far surpassed everything asked of us. It doesn’t make much sense to me that we’ve grown so much stronger while we’ve been apart. All we’ve had together since that parting in March was your four-day visit in June, three days in Ithaca in July, and nine days in here August. But it really has improved. I know, I know, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ but that only carries so far. All my questions have been answered, and everything I was worried about has fallen aside as I’ve seen that we can do it.
Not that I’m just realizing this at the end of the summer. When we started talking every day on the phone far into the night, when I heard the surprise and excitement in your voice as I called, and when I realized how excited you were to see me the few times we were able to reunite, I knew we’d be able to do it. It’s been a slowly mounting thrill as it became obvious we were going to make it. Every day I ticked off my countdown (waiting anxiously for midnight so I could change it at the earlier possible moment) became a reminder that I’m a very lucky guy.
But that still wasn’t enough. I’m being a stickler for official-dom here: we haven’t made it through this break together until the break is over and we’re back at school.
So I’m only being a tiny bit premature in writing this. 36 hours, maybe. I should be at the dorm before noon. I’ll lift some weights so you can jump into my arms without fear of me screwing it up. I can’t wait for that first hug, that kiss… I hope it’s not too awkward for your dad!
Last year, when we were together full-time and didn’t have to get by on IMs and phone calls, was beautiful and amazing to me. Just like you. Much more than anything I could have ever hoped for. With the last six months behind us, I can only imagine where the next six will take us. I can’t wait to go there with you.
Congratulations, Emily. We made it. I love you always.
Here’s to both of you, Marley23 and BornOfStardust. I really hope it all works out for you – it sounds as though you are each working toward the same goal. Congratulations!
I try to be clever, but nobody appreciates it. They just get confused. Then they get angry at me. I don’t get no respect. I don’t get no respect at all! Huy!!
I know what it’s like, being in a LDR myself. We sometimes go as long as 6 months without seeing each other at all, as she’s in the US, and I’m in the Netherlands. The good news: she’s in my apartment right now, and will be for four more weeks. The bad news? I’m at work at the moment.
Thanks, Coldfire. (Say, that’s two replies from you a couple of minutes, and I’m not sure we’d spoken before. Don’t be a stranger. ;)) It’s rough, but I don’t plan on letting the long-distance part of it continue for much longer.
I hear you. Except for me, replace “design airplanes” with “almost make it through the week before the flight without a nervous breakdown just before I get on board.” Gah. For the last three years, I’ve had to make about 10 flights to and from school per year, and I’m not the least bit less nervous. I might be worse (heh, funny what the odd terrorist attack will do for your peace of mind :p). Can’t wait for THAT to be over. I’m so nervous about flying that the only cure is for me to go to sleep on the plane, which oddly enough I do absolutely fine.
If everything goes right, weather and whatnot, I should be with Emily in less than 10 hours (9 am flight from LaGuardia, at O’Hare at 10:29 central time). I can’t wait. Whenever you read this, hon, I want you to know that I will always love you. I look forward to a lifetime with you, and as much as I want to accomplish in my life, loving you will always be the greatest thing I could ever do. I always hoped I would find someone as special and remarkable as you, a person who would make me feel as wonderful as you do. Hoped, anyway. Being with you has been more fantastic than anything I could’ve dreamed up. I look forward to telling you that in person in a matter of hours. Thank you, and I love you always.
I love you always.