Thankful

Friday evening at 8 pm Adam left for Fort Bliss.  What a strange feeling it was dropping him off at the Kilgore Armory for the last time knowing that we would not see each other for about 10 months.    The actual drop-off  happened so quickly that it almost felt like I was dropping him off for another day at work.  

"I'll see you at 5."  

I pulled the car up in front of the armory, Adam quickly unloaded his gear and we shared a good-bye that lasted only a few seconds through the driver side window.  I yelled after him noticing two bags he had left in the car and asked him if he had forgotten them.  He walked back, shook his head, and leaned in to give me one final kiss and then he was on his way again.  Next thing I knew I was starting my solo journey back to Austin.  To my surprise my eyes stayed dry for the entire four hour car trip.  I felt guilty thinking, "What is wrong with you?  If at any moment this year you are going to break down this should be the time."  Yet it never came.  Instead, strangely enough, I felt a sense of relief.  Not because I was happy that Adam was leaving or because I was happy that I wouldn't see him until next year.  God knows that I miss him and worry about him every single day that we are apart.  But I felt a sense of relief because the countdowns that had plagued this entire year up until this day were finally over.  

On Friday the only countdown that I had been looking forward to all year had finally begun, the countdown until Adam gets home.   

There was also one other critical piece that kept me from falling apart after leaving Adam, and that was knowing that I had a tremendous family waiting for me back home.  Even though bad days come and go I always know that my family is never far if I need them.  They have been nothing but supportive of Adam's career and of our relationship.   They made sure to reschedule their busy lives so that they could make it to the mobilization ceremony, they listen to me, whether they want to or not, when I need to vent, they hug me when I need some extra loving and my brother has been incredibly understanding and flexible as my boss knowing how important these last few months have been for Adam and me.  Not once have I ever felt that I could not lean on them for love and support.  With the addition of Adam's family in my life I feel beyond blessed.  Honestly, I hit the jackpot.

From the moment that I met Adam's parents and his siblings last December they made me feel like I was a member of their family.  Cathy and Rosendo warmly welcomed me into their home and I was immediately invited to family events.  After making it back from Kilgore on Friday I spoke with Cathy on the phone and she reassured me that I would be seeing them often.  She told me that I was always welcome at their house even if that just meant me coming to Georgetown to spend the night, and that Rosendo would be calling me to meet up for lunch.   This made me so happy.  Not only have I become close with Adam's parents, but I am very happy that I have become close to Adam's siblings and even his aunts, uncles, and cousins, too.  I am thankful for each and every single one of you, because at a time when it would have been easy to part ways and see each other infrequently you all have already made it a point to see me often.  

As I headed back to Austin this afternoon after spending yesterday in Georgetown with Adam's family it struck me how lucky I am to have been intertwined into all of these extraordinary people's lives.  With that being said, I want to take a moment to say to all of my friends and family, new and old, near and far, that I love you all, that I am so thankful for the relationships that we share, and that I am so grateful for all of your love and support that you have shown me and Adam.  It has been a crazy time in our lives but having you all around has made it much more bearable.  

Because of you all I am going to bed tonight feeling thankful.