DNR LDRs
One interesting aspect of working with so many people who have lived and traveled abroad is the random things we had in common with our experiences. I feel like the East Asian rep; but the other pre-enrollment advisors have worked all over Central and South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. As I was eating lunch the other day with two of my coworkers, we all bonded over our shared hatred of Americans who pretend they're Canadian while traveling abroad. RANDOM.
Anyway, one of my coworkers, H, actually just moved back from Argentina a few months ago. She left behind a boyfriend who she talks about a lot, and obviously misses a great deal. He surprised her by buying a ticket to Chicago and got in today. She still had to come to work, but the manager was flexible and let her come in late and leave early. When she got in she was absolutely beaming. She told me how she was running around the terminal exit looking for him and then... there he was, smiling at her. I had such an insanely clear picture in my mind of the whole thing, probably because I've experienced that exact scenario 3 times in the last year and a half.
Being in an international relationship is a unique form of torture which I'd never, ever recommend. The longing to see your loved one is incredible. Talking to H all of that came rushing back to me: the daily Skype dates, the physical yearning to reach through the computer screen and grab Austin and pull him through the wires that separated us, the feeling that I'd never really be happy again until I saw him with my own eyes and held him in my arms. It is insane. And then, when we were reunited... the tangible and the dream come crashing together to create reality. Physical memories come flooding back, and I remember his smell and exactly where my head rests in his neck. I know exactly how H feels right now. There's nothing like it.
After telling me about how happy she is, H went on to admit how scared she is of him leaving, and what will happen afterwords. "I already told him he's not allowed to leave. I'm going to tie him to my bed and never let him go." I'm 99% sure I uttered those words verbatim last year, while Austin was visiting me in Japan. Remembering those times, when I had to see Austin leave, or when I left, well, thinking of it breaks my heart. Having your loved one back is amazing, but knowing that it is merely a respite until they leave for good is the most bittersweet thing in the world.
After work, H returned to her boyfriend and I returned home to find Austin waiting for me. I made a nice dinner for two and afterwords we sat on the couch as we always do, just being a mundane couple. This time there's no plans to come or go, but just to be. And I've never been happier.
Anyway, one of my coworkers, H, actually just moved back from Argentina a few months ago. She left behind a boyfriend who she talks about a lot, and obviously misses a great deal. He surprised her by buying a ticket to Chicago and got in today. She still had to come to work, but the manager was flexible and let her come in late and leave early. When she got in she was absolutely beaming. She told me how she was running around the terminal exit looking for him and then... there he was, smiling at her. I had such an insanely clear picture in my mind of the whole thing, probably because I've experienced that exact scenario 3 times in the last year and a half.
Being in an international relationship is a unique form of torture which I'd never, ever recommend. The longing to see your loved one is incredible. Talking to H all of that came rushing back to me: the daily Skype dates, the physical yearning to reach through the computer screen and grab Austin and pull him through the wires that separated us, the feeling that I'd never really be happy again until I saw him with my own eyes and held him in my arms. It is insane. And then, when we were reunited... the tangible and the dream come crashing together to create reality. Physical memories come flooding back, and I remember his smell and exactly where my head rests in his neck. I know exactly how H feels right now. There's nothing like it.
After telling me about how happy she is, H went on to admit how scared she is of him leaving, and what will happen afterwords. "I already told him he's not allowed to leave. I'm going to tie him to my bed and never let him go." I'm 99% sure I uttered those words verbatim last year, while Austin was visiting me in Japan. Remembering those times, when I had to see Austin leave, or when I left, well, thinking of it breaks my heart. Having your loved one back is amazing, but knowing that it is merely a respite until they leave for good is the most bittersweet thing in the world.
After work, H returned to her boyfriend and I returned home to find Austin waiting for me. I made a nice dinner for two and afterwords we sat on the couch as we always do, just being a mundane couple. This time there's no plans to come or go, but just to be. And I've never been happier.