It's been a year since I last saw my mom. That's 365 days of phone calls and texting and commenting on Facebook posts. It's hard being one half of any long-distance relationship, regardless of whether it is a friendship, intimate relationship, or a relationship with a parent. I miss my mom so much at times that I'll call her three to five times a day... keep in mind that I'm a senior in college and some people would definitely consider that to be an excessive amount.
My mom moved from my hometown, Virginia Beach, back to where she's originally from, Mississippi, in August of 2016. This was the same month that I officially moved out of my parents' house, transferred to a new college, and when my parents separated.
At the time, I didn't think that it would affect me as much as it did. Up until that August, I was able to say that my parents were still together and that I had a home to go back to whenever I wasn't in school... But this has definitely changed.
My mom was generous enough to buy me a plane ticket last December so that I could visit her over Christmas break. It was a fun two weeks with close relatives, my dog, and of course my mom. But, my time in Mississippi went by faster than I expected. I flew back to Virginia before New Year's Eve, and I haven't seen my mom since.
A lot of people don't realize how challenging it is to be an (adult) child affected by divorce. Especially during college, some of the most difficult years of your young adult life. I can't simply drive home on the weekends to bond with my mom or have her visit campus for parent's weekend.
Even though having a phone and a computer has made it a lot easier to stay in touch with my mom, it's still not the same thing as being able to spend time with her in person.
I wanted to write this article for the girls who are lucky enough to still have parents who are happily together and for the girls who can drive home to see their mom whenever they want. I hope you realize how lucky you are, and I hope that you are grateful for the time you get to spend with her. In this moment, you are the lucky one, and I hope you're savoring every second of it.
I can't remember the last time I was with both of my parents in my childhood home. I cant remember the last conversation I had with my mom on the couch where we would religiously watch the Bachelor or Big Brother.
However, I can remember saying goodbye to my mom at the airport one short year ago, not knowing when I would be able to see her again. Luckily, my grandma was sweet enough to buy me a ticket this year, and I'll get to see my mom SO soon!
I know I'll be sure to savor every second with her while I'm there, because who knows when I'll get this opportunity again!
