Back in March, my boyfriend Corey was offered a chance to move to Maui for the summer to give his baseball career one last shot. After numerous nights of discussions, we felt this was an opportunity he could not pass up and needed to pursue it. We had two months to soakup everything we could before he would be gone for four. I knew it was going to be difficult having to control a long distance relationship, especially at this early in the game, but I knew I wanted with all my heart for it to work.
His last few days here, we tried to spend as much time together as possible. I made a question box, filled with over 250 questions, to give us conversation topics for every night he would be gone. We planned one last going away dinner with friends and family. The look on Corey's face when he saw that all 20 people that said they were coming to dinner actually showed up, was completely priceless. He knew that these people would be supporting him in pursuing his dream, just like I was. I knew at that moment that we were doing this for all the right reasons. We spent our last night together in a massive suite at the Palms, cuddled up in bed. Neither one of us wanted to say goodbye.
I dreaded taking him to the airport as we packed up in the car because I knew what that meant. I knew it meant that I wouldn't get to see my best friend every day, like I had been for the past 2 months. I knew it meant that our relationship would now be made up of phone calls, texting, skype dates, and care packages. But I also knew it was going to work because we both wanted it to. I choaked back tears as I accidentally drove Corey to the wrong terminal! (He probably thinks I did it on purpose!) We got to the right terminal and after an almost two hour check-in process, I had to stand at the bottom of the escalators and tell him "See Ya Later." I just kept repeating in my head "You can do this. No crying. Hold it together for him." I handed him his surprise present and walked out the door, bursting into tears as soon as I could put my sunglasses on. It took me some time just sitting in my car to realize that this day had come. With a few texts before he got on the plane, it had become official. Maui for the summer for him while I worked my butt off for school here in Vegas.
We quickly got down a routine. Texts in the morning when we got up, calling as often as we could around our schedules. We made sure to have at least 3 nights per week to do questions from our box and have full conversations, either on the phone or through skype. It was defnitely reassuring that although I missed him, I still felt like he was here. Sure, there were nights that I really just wanted to be laying in bed completely wrapped around him. However, the countdown of days to my first trip to see him helped me through it all.
My first trip to Yuma seemed like it was WAY too short. We had four whole days together but it wasn't nearly long enough. The smoke from the Yuma fire made it nearly impossible for me to be outside for the games. I would have toughed it out had Corey been pitching but I missed seeing him by a few days. Lots of time was spent just holding his hand because I didn't want to let it go EVER. Only two minutes into my roadtrip back home and I was already counting down to the next trip. I knew this break was going to be the hardest though, with it being a whole 7 weeks apart.
My relationship with Corey means everything to me and everyone around us can see that. Corey's teammates laugh at how close we are because they thought we've been together much longer than we really have. It helps that we were friends for 4 years before even attempting more. He truly has become my best friend (Sorry Sammy and Rachel but he is catching up to you guys!). Just like any other couple, we have our fair share of fights because we are both extremely stubborn and challenge each other all of the time. The difference with us is that we immediately talk it out (no arguing) and figure it all out. We don't let it sit and build up. We are each others' biggest supporters and that is the most important element to our relationship.
I have had some health concerns over the past year and I have never seen more support from someone outside of my family than what I get with Corey. Nothing will ever compare to the text and reaction I got from him the morning I found out I was offically cancer free. I think he was more excited than I was. I wish I would have been able to see the smile on his face because I could tell by our phone conversation that he was grinning ear to ear. I am so excited to see what the future holds for us.
We have 18 days left on this countdown and they cannot come any quicker. I get a whole week with him on this trip! Time better start flying by because I am ready to be in his arms again!
Here are some pics of Corey from the summer!! ALOHA!
Corey and Robert - a minister who was in front of us at the airport in Vegas and was Corey's travel buddy on the plane. He now goes to some of Corey's games and has been an awesome friend for him to have on the island.
Corey pitching - Luckily I get to see him pitch this next time in Yuma. It's been over two years since I've seen him throw and I am soooo excited!
By the way....
We are also halfway done with our summer!!! YAY!!!! Only 9 weeks until Corey's season is done and he is home with us!!!
“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”
-- Unknown author
I am so happy to see you writing again! I promise you will look back one day and really appreciate all your posts! Its so move that the time is going by as quickly as it is. I sure do love you and am thankful to call you a best friend!!
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