So, Phil’s leave is over, and I’m back to blogging.
We had an absolutely wonderful time! It was better than I could have ever imagined.
When Phil’s family and I went to pick him up at the airport, I was so nervous. We had to wait a few hours at the airport for him because they got in later than expected. As we stood there, waiting, I grew more and more nervous. I was really excited, but I was nervous about seeing him for the first time in four months. I don’t really know what I was nervous about. When he came up the escalator, I couldn’t even manage to get any words out. We just hugged and kissed. It was the best hug and kiss I’ve ever had. It felt so good to be in his arms again. My heart was bursting with happiness.
Over the next two weeks, we had the most amazing time together. Being together felt so natural, and we were both so happy to be back together again. The first night, we stayed at his parents’ house and his dad cooked dinner, but we were both so exhausted that we went to sleep before it was even ready. The following day, he and I drove up to a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The cabin was absolutely beautiful, and we had a great time together. His family came up the second night and stayed for the following two nights. He and I had a great time, but he was so jetlagged that he slept a lot those first few days. Additionally, some things happened back at the FOB with some of his buddies, so he was pretty upset about it. He needed a lot of time to himself, which I gave him. It made me really sad to see him upset, and I knew there was nothing I could do about it besides give him some time to himself. I think his family thought he was upset because of something I’d done, but that wasn’t the case. He talked to me about it, but they probably still don’t know what was really going on. Nevertheless, he and I had an amazing time together at the cabin. I loved it.
After we all left the cabin, he and I drove to Athens to go to a gun store. He had an itch to get a new gun, so throughout the next few days we went to a gun store every single day, sometimes twice a day. His brother left for Navy boot camp during Phil’s leave, so before he left, he, Phil’s dad, Phil and I all went shooting at the range. It was only my second time shooting a gun, but I did pretty well. Phil wanted me to shoot his .357 Smith & Wesson snub-nose revolver because he wanted me to take it back home with me for personal protection. I shot 50 rounds through that gun. It was not a fun gun to shoot because of the recoil. By the time I was done, my hand was bruised and swollen, but I did pretty well.
Phil and I went to the range a few days later. This time I did not shoot the .357. This time, I mainly shot his new .9mm Sig. I loved it. It’s a heavier gun and a smaller caliber, so it was a really fun gun to shoot. I did pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. I also shot Phil’s M-4 for the first time. I did awesome! The target was about ¾ down the lane, and all of my shots were grouped around the bull’s eye. I even got one shot right through the bull’s eye! I loved it, and Phil was definitely proud of me. J I can’t wait til he comes home, so we can go to the range again.
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| My First M-4 Target |
Additionally, during his leave, Phil got us a hotel room in downtown Atlanta. We were there three nights and had the best time together. It was a beautiful, upscale hotel. While we were there, we went to nice restaurants and bars and just enjoyed each other’s company. I was so happy that we got to spend time alone together. Just being alone together was wonderful. I can’t even explain how happy we were.
Most of the remaining days of his leave, we spent going to the gym, shopping, running errands, and just enjoying each other’s company. I know I’ve said it many times, but we were so happy just being together. The time we spent during Phil’s leave was better than I could have ever imagined, and I am even more in love with him than I ever thought possible.
Before, I loved him so much that I thought it was impossible to love him more, but during Phil’s leave, I fell even more in love with him. Being together just felt natural and good. He is such a good man and treats me so well. He is so sweet to me and is everything and more than I could have ever wanted or looked for in a man. Our relationship has always been strong, but it is so much stronger now. This deployment has taught us so many things about what is really important. The main thing it has taught us is to cherish and enjoy every second we have together. I think I speak for us both when I say that our love is forever.
We fell so much more in love with each other during his leave that saying goodbye was so much more difficult than when he left last time. It was heartbreaking for us both. Neither of us wanted our time together to end, and we missed each other from the moment he left. It was so difficult knowing that we wouldn’t be together again for four more months. Four months doesn’t seem like a long time, but it seems like forever when you’re missing your other half every second of every day. The only thing that makes it better is knowing that our relationship is so much stronger now. Just thinking about the love we have makes me feel good inside.
Valentine’s Day was this week, and it was sad to not have him here with me. Even though he was in transit back to Afghanistan, he managed to send me the most beautiful flowers. I put them in my bedroom, and the smell of them reminds me of him and makes me smile. With the flowers, Phil sent the sweetest note ever. It made my week, and whenever I’m missing him, I look at the note and it makes me smile again. I love him so much.
Now, I’m just trying to get back into the swing of things. I have a lot of school work to catch up on, and I’m definitely not used to waking up so early. I was exhausted all week and didn’t work out all week until today. On top of trying to get used to being back in school, I am still trying to get over the sadness of saying goodbye to Phil again. The first few days were a huge adjustment. I got used to being with him during his leave, so it was so sad to not have him here with me. I don’t know if anyone can understand the heartache that we go through when our soldier leaves. I was so upset that my stomach was not right for days after Phil left. What’s worse is that Phil was so sad and lonely too. Traveling back to Afghanistan alone is so difficult and lonely for the guys, especially after being home with loved ones. I just wished I could do something to make it better for him. I’m sad that Phil is gone, but I’m definitely glad he’s back with his buddies, instead of alone in transit.
These next few months are going to be difficult, but I know we’ll make it through them. Our relationship is once in a lifetime, and I can’t wait to have him back again so we can continue our life together. J
