The day I left to come home (4 Nov 2010), it rained. The morning was rough. My dear friend had to work at 6am, so he woke me up and I said goodbye to him then. It wasn't as difficult, as I was still half asleep. While I was rushing around (because I'd procrastinated), I dropped something on my toe in just the right angle to cause maximum pain. I couldn't find things I needed, which slowed me way down. I also forgot several things that I had planned to pack. As Papa-L and I loaded up the car, the rain came down harder. I had a feeling things weren't going to go well. Mom and Papa-L decided that I couldn't go without good windshield wipers, so he went to the store and got some new ones and installed them for me (while it was still pouring).
It was hard saying goodbye to everyone and I cried a lot (unsurprising for me, as I cry far too easily at certain times). When I got into the car to go, they were there waving to me. I stopped for lunch and had a conversation with the drive-thru girl about relocating. I went a bit further and stopped for gas, the last time someone else would pump my gas for me. After that, I finished eating my lunch and I was off. As I drove through New Jersey, I talked to my car, telling her we could do this. The rain made it very difficult to see where I was going, and I was trying not to cry.I was nervous, worried, sad, and scared. As soon as I crossed over the bridge into Pennsylvania, I felt a bit of peace come over me. I took one last look at New Jersey in the rear view mirror, and I was alright.
The rest of the ride was fantastic. It did not feel like I drove as far as I did. My car did great. I promised her when we pulled into the parking lot that I would pen the Lay of the Hooptie, the story of how she made it through the great relocation pilgrimage of 2010, and did it better than a brand new car.
I pulled up at my new home at around 6:30pm. There was traffic downtown, but I actually did make really good time getting here. I sat in my car for a moment as the realisation that I was, in fact, home really hit me. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to stop smiling so broadly. I got out of the car and stretched a bit, but I couldn't wait to get upstairs to see him. I was also a bit anxious because this was it, the real thing. I wasn't going back to NJ again, and I was hoping that he truly was okay with that.
I barely remember walking up the stairs and knocking on the door, but I do remember waiting for him. I also remember the door opening and joy I felt when he kissed me and welcomed me home. As I started unpacking, he made me the most amazing dinner and we relaxed. When we went to bed, as I drifted off to sleep in his arms, I was smiling and completely at peace.
We were home for another day, then off to Ohio for the weekend. That was great and a little stressful at the same time. Overall though, I had a great time. My Love's family is really great, and I felt welcomed and accepted. More than a few people asked me if I was ready to run yet. In seriousness, there's nothing that would make me go anywhere, but meeting everyone made me so much more at ease. The only person who's feelings about me I care about is my Love, but it does make it easier on him that I'm comfortable with his family and they seem to be comfortable with me.
Tomorrow, we will be together four months.. It feels like much longer that I've loved him. He's such a huge part of my life that I almost don't really remember a time before him. Our entire time together so far has been amazing. Now that I'm here with him, its changed for the better. I honestly didn't realise it could be even better, or that I could have more fun with him than I was before. I think we're both more at ease now. Also, it's no longer long distance, it's a normal relationship now. We're settling into it, and it's going well. I really can see us continuing to laugh, to play, and to live our life together for a very long time. At least I hope so, because I can't imagine living without him.
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