I will be leaving for a three month interning abroad experience in Scotland and cannot be more excited for this amazing opportunity to follow my passions — but I will be leaving behind the love of my life.
When my boyfriend and I started dating, I was just beginning the application process for my internship. We thought nothing of being apart for three months. But as the months passed and our happiness exploded, we both feared parting ways.
Our situation became more precarious as I began to be invited for more interviews and started moving toward final acceptance. At six months to departure and only three months into our relationship, he asked me a question I will never forget.
“Do you want to take a break while you’re gone?”
I thought about it for the briefest moment and said a firm no. I was not about to give up this amazing guy who was quickly becoming my best friend, but I knew how selfish it was of me to keep him tied to me across continents, so I returned the question.
He too responded with a fervent no and knew he was in this relationship for the long haul. Although we had only been dating a few months, I knew even then that he was my person and I was his.
As I progressed through final acceptance, visa sponsorship, and eventually getting my work visa and permit, it became very clear how hard it would be to leave this amazing man and love of my life.
The first night we both broke down was a rough Saturday. We both were bickering all day over nothing while doing errands. When we got back from dinner I remember asking him why he was so frustrated and upset all day — he shot back a quick comment and I let him be. But a few minutes later I came into our room and found him crying on the bed. Immediately I began to sob and cried for what seemed like an hour. I could never have imagined going into our relationship how difficult it would be to leave him.
Through the past month before my departure, both of us intermittently broke down about me leaving. It was unfathomable to think about leaving my lover and best friend while I go on the adventure of a life time. I want to share and experience every moment with him, but that’s just not how this was going to work. Our compromise to such a difficult situation? He gets to come visit in December and share all that I’ve learned and seen with me.
And if you ask me? I’d say that is more than a compromise, it’s the best gift I could ever imagine.
With one day before departure, I’m packed, prepared as I can be, and I know I’ll be with my love in a few short weeks.
~For you my love
