Oh, girl. I hear you.
Jon and I both make every effort to maintain full lives even when we're not together. Because we'll be long distance for so many months, it's crucial that we continue moving forward rather than putting our futures on hold. It also means that, when we do connect, we bring more to the table - we love each other in part for our diverse interests and experiences, and the adventures we have individually contribute to who we are as a couple.
That being said, it's sometimes heartbreaking to enjoy life without Jon. I know I can; it's just that I'd really rather not.
Often, when I freeze in the middle of whatever I'm doing and wish that Jon were with me to share my adventures, I think of The Parting Glass, an old Irish folksong I stumbled on last spring. It's a lovely melody of love and loss and joy and farewell. I recorded it on my laptop last weekend, sitting on the porch in the morning sunlight, a mug of coffee in my hand and Charlie's head on my knee, in a moment of melancholy.
And so I want to close by wishing Jon a very happy anniversary, even from across an ocean. The past four years, with all of their rollercoaster ups and downs and heres and theres, have been blessed. I can't wait until we're together again next month for Thanksgiving - or until the day, sometime after our wedding in August, that we're able to be as man and wife. I love you with all of my heart.
photo credit: Tarah Coonan
Happy Anniversary! I found doing stuff when we were in a long distance relationship made the days go faster until we saw each other again!
ReplyDeleteOh, girl, I'm sorry. It really does suck, having to life on your own. I hope you find the strength to make the most of it while you have to. and from my own experience, making a paper chain countdown where you pull a ring off each night until he comes home totally helps :)
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary, lovebirds :) And that song is so sweet, Betsy.
that is true! being bored would make things much worse.
ReplyDeletethat is the cutest idea! I like that :) and thank you!
ReplyDeleteI thought that living across the country from Nick for 5 months was hard but I can't imagine what it's like to be an ocean apart. it's so hard right now, but I promise that in the end it will make you stronger! Y'all are precious. Happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteEeeeee I'm famous me! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary, and keep on truckin'. It's so worth it in the end.
You've inspired me to write a reflective blog post about my experience because I realize I have a lot to say about it that I just couldn't at the time.
We've had to deal with this, too. In England I ended up not traveling anywhere without Paul, since I knew that anywhere I went I'd probably say "oh, you should go, too- we should go back!" but I did go to local stuff, festivals, find new places, etc. I basically lived regular life in a 2-hour radius. When he gets to go somewhere that I don't (Guatemala and Germany a couple of times are the ones on the top of my head) I just hope he has a good time and comes back with great ideas for the future! Hopefully y'all will be able to share most of your adventures soon- but in the meantime, just cherish the independence you're both bringing to your relationship. When Paul and I are together ALL the time for too long we sometimes have to purposefully do stuff alone just to have something to talk about! GREAT post! (and I can comment now- w00t!)
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah- and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!
ReplyDeleteI knowwwwww but sometimes I just want to stomp my feet and thrash around and whine about it - that's why I have a blog, right? hehe. but thanks, love :)
ReplyDeleteoh PLEASE do! sometimes I get sad about all the peppiness out there - life can suck and that's okay, you know? I'd love to read about your experience.
ReplyDeleteYES that's basically what we're trying. except for the Chicago trip with my family, where I found myself thinking every two seconds "must bring Jon here!"
ReplyDeleteand YAY for commenting!
and thank you :)
Aww Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI have never related to anything more than what you just said. I always knew I could live like a normal person without Alex in my everyday life while we were doing the LDR thing, but like you said, I'd rather not and IT REALLY SUCKED!
What country are you guys going to live in once you're married??
when i read this post, i thought of justin's experience moving to wilmington, nc while i am still here in louisiana. many times he has called & told me he wants to go to a particular restaurant, but doesn't want to try it without me or go alone. long distance relationships are sad in that way, that you sometimes feel that pull to wait until you're back together to experience new things. so glad that you & jon will be together next month for thanksgiving! :)
ReplyDeletewhen i read this post, i thought of justin's experience moving to wilmington, nc while i am still here in louisiana. many times he has called & told me he wants to go to a particular restaurant, but doesn't want to try it without me or go alone. long distance relationships are sad in that way, that you sometimes feel that pull to wait until you're back together to experience new things. so glad that you & jon will be together next month for thanksgiving! :)
ReplyDeletecan't answer that publicly at the moment - the time when we'll be ready (bureaucratically) to live in the same country is far enough away that we haven't told the appropriate relevant people yet! but we'll share with the blog world as soon as we can.
ReplyDeletewoo! thanks, MRS!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was living my final months in Dublin before moving to France to be with my husband, I made the most of them. I reminded myself that it would be the last time that I truly got to live as ME, not as part of a unit me, but ME, and it was wonderful. I soaked it up and did everything that I wanted when I wanted. Cocktail nights out with girlfriends, lazy Saturday nights in with a takeaway and cheesy RomComs. It was bliss and I enjoyed every bit of it. Of course married life is bliss too and I'm still me but it's a little different when you're married. Different in a good way, but still different :)
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