Home or Away?

*Facebook 3/9/11 – Hey Boston! Remember Me?

Bill and I met through ridiculous circumstances and ended up spending a year and a half flying back and forth between Boston and South Dakota to see each other in what I refer to as our Extreme Long Distance Relationship. It isn’t that the distance is so bad – less than 3 hours to Minneapolis, then a half hour layover during which we always picked up chocolate covered gummy bears, then a quick hour flight on a plane so small it would fit in Sam’s Backpack – but the logistics. In order to see each other, we had to figure out a weekend when neither of us had our kids, decide East Coast or Midwest, or some other crazy place, and then make sure there weren’t any snowstorms or emergency room visits in the way. So, I have made the trip from South Dakota back to Boston 11 times, each time sad to be leaving this person I loved.

Last week, the Aberdeen to Boston portion of my trip was the beginning, not the end. Bill drove me to our tiny little airport. Our airport (town!) is so small that Bill leaves his pick-up running outside right at the airport door when he brings me inside. Our airport is so small that we only have three flights a day, all to Minneapolis, and the planes have propellers on them! Also the whole airport shuts down between planes. I said goodbye to Bill at Gate 1A, (Why is the gate called 1A when there is only one? It should just be THE gate.) and flew back to my hometown. It was the first time I’d been back since I drove away last June. My sister was turning 30 and my mom was planning a big party for her. I hadn’t realized how it would feel to take this trip in the opposite direction, or how it would feel to be kid-free for so long. (My own kids were away for 10 days and Bill’s were having some “Daddy time” as well.)

*Facebook 3/10/11: Dear Lady In Front of Me at Security in the Airport: Your kids are driving everyone nuts. Please commence parenting at anytime now. Sincerely, Everyone Getting on this Plane. P.S. Nee ner nee ner nee ner (from the lady traveling kid free)

As I flew across the country and navigated through the Minneapolis airport, it struck me how different this felt. I am still at that point where being away from my new husband for a weekend feels like too long (although I’m told this does not last forever…) and at the same time, I haven’t been “home” to Boston since we drove away last June and quite frankly, I miss my mom!

*Facebook 3/11/11: At the baggage claim at Logan, some lady asked if I was visiting Boston or coming home. She thought "I have no idea" was a weird answer.

As soon as I arrived at my parents’ house I realized that my mom had done way more of the party planning than I had expected. There was nothing left for me to do! So…I shopped. And had my nails done. And called to find out that my old hairdresser had an opening for me! All these little things that I had missed in my new “small town life.”

*Facebook 3/11/11: Gap, Ann Taylor, Express...look out, Bill, I'm unsupervised in a real mall.

*Facebook 3/12/11: Coffee with a good friend at a REAL Starbucks, haircut at my old favorite salon, driving daddy's cool Volvo sports car (which doesn't seat 8 and could be parked in my SUV's trunk)...I could get used to this! (Kids? What kids?)

*Facebook 3/12/11: Has returned to the mothership...pedicure massaging chair.

On the way back home to South Dakota, I contemplated an interesting absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder phenomenon. Chomping on the chocolate covered gummy bears that I bought for Bill but ate before I got to him, I made the following lists:

Things in Boston I didn’t realize how much I had missed until I had them back:

A real mall with escalators and a GAP

A Mani-Pedi place with massaging pedicure chairs

Starbucks

My parents

My sister

Always knowing exactly how to get where I’m going.

Things in Aberdeen I didn’t realize how much I appreciate until I left them:

My own bed

No Traffic

Bill

Things I didn’t miss:

4 feet of snow

Dogs barking at 5:30am

I’m sure that I will make the trip back to Boston frequently, both alone and with all the kids and Bill. I’m not sure, however, that I will ever be able to answer the baggage claim lady’s question. I’m home and away. I’m visiting home. Deal with it.

Comments

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Home to the pedicure chair.....I love that image. I believe you were the one who took me for my very first pedicure after you got over your shock of the fact that I was a mom and had NEVER had one. :) Thanks for showing me the light!

Bree

Posted by: Breezey | 04/19/2011 at 08:39 AM

I am still at that point where being away from my new husband for a weekend feels like too long (although I’m told this does not last forever…)

Hahaha! That is so true!

Thanks for following. I'm now following you!

Posted by: Rach | 04/16/2011 at 07:10 PM

I liked that you ate the gummy bears before you got back to him. That made me laugh! That's what I would have done. :) I also liked the ending.

Posted by: Sam | 04/16/2011 at 08:18 AM

hi im your newest follower http://avonladyinbirmingham.blogspot.com :)

Posted by: sophia | 04/15/2011 at 06:28 AM

Lovely story. Wishing you much joy and happiness.
I am a new follower.
Visiting from Bloggy Moms.

JTwisdom
http://bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com

Posted by: JTwisdom | 04/13/2011 at 09:57 PM

Following now on Networked Blogs. Very cute story. My best to you and Bill!

Clayton
http://www.claytonpaulthomas.com

Posted by: Clayton Thomas | 04/13/2011 at 09:20 PM

I'm a follower!! Great blog! Thanks for following me!! You are great!!
XOXO
Sadie Jane
www.simplysadiejane.com

Posted by: Sadie Jane | 04/13/2011 at 08:41 PM

I love your posts! I really like how you weave your Facebook updates into the story. Great creativity!
(Saw your message on Bloggy Moms and stopping by to visit. I'm happy to follow you!)

Posted by: Callie Feyen | 04/13/2011 at 08:35 PM

Once again, great article. All I have to say sweetie is, welcome to my world. Miss the slow-paced life, not to mention the plethera of sunshine of Montana, but like the convenience and culter surrounding us out here.

Posted by: Marthamormon | 04/13/2011 at 07:48 AM