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Jewzel and Dwayne - JamaicaObserver.com
This is such a sweet story. It demonstrates the power of true love even though many years and many miles may come between.
Jewzel says of their long distance relationship, "I would never tell anybody that it is easy, but if you pray and ask God to help you go through, then you will manage. I mean there are going to be times when you are actually going to be fed up, but if you press on and if you actually believe and know that you love the person, you will put in all that you can," she said."
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Remembering Our Veterans
This is not just any Saturday. There are several things about this day that make it different from most. For instance, today is my little baby girl's birthday. You mom's know how it is, she'll always be my baby even though today, she turns 20!
And today, this weekend actually, Mike is golfing in a tournament. I'm so glad he 's getting some time to relax and have some fun. But it's strange not being able to talk to him. And when the Nuggets play the Lakers tonight, we won't be watching the game together.
But mostly what makes this day stand out, is the meaning of this weekend. This is a weekend to remember and give thanks to our veterans - the brave men and women who fight for us and our way of life. Those of us in long-distance relationships know the heartache of being separated from the one we love. I can't imagine the anguish of having my love in the military. Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself because Mike and I aren't together, I'll remember how blessed and fortunate I am that I get to see him, hold him, smell him, and wrap myself in his arms once a month.
To all you veterans - THANK YOU, bless you, and to our current troops, may God bring you safely home.
And today, this weekend actually, Mike is golfing in a tournament. I'm so glad he 's getting some time to relax and have some fun. But it's strange not being able to talk to him. And when the Nuggets play the Lakers tonight, we won't be watching the game together.
But mostly what makes this day stand out, is the meaning of this weekend. This is a weekend to remember and give thanks to our veterans - the brave men and women who fight for us and our way of life. Those of us in long-distance relationships know the heartache of being separated from the one we love. I can't imagine the anguish of having my love in the military. Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself because Mike and I aren't together, I'll remember how blessed and fortunate I am that I get to see him, hold him, smell him, and wrap myself in his arms once a month.
To all you veterans - THANK YOU, bless you, and to our current troops, may God bring you safely home.
Friday, May 22, 2009
When Your Long-Distance Love Is Ill
I find myself in a sad yet very familiar state of mind. My poor Mike, who rarely gets sick, has a bad cold. In fact, I think he got it from me during my recent visit, except I don't have it nearly as bad as he does.
One of my constant struggles in this long-distance relationship world is wanting to be wherever I'm not. I've talked about this before - when I'm in Dallas, I want to be in Denver and when I'm in Denver, I'm thinking of all the things I should be doing in Dallas (not the whole time, of course, just when Mike is at work and I'm alone at his house). But while my sweet love is not feeling well, all I want to do is rush to his side and take care of him.
I want so much to be there to comfort him, to make sure he gets plenty of liquids and plenty of uninterrupted rest. I want to fluff his pillows and rub his neck. I know this sounds a little corny but it's especially hard to be apart when the one I love is hurting.
To make matters worse, Mike can't talk without serious coughing and completely losing his voice. So our conversations have been kept very short, with me doing most of the talking, rambling actually.
There's a feeling of helplessness, a slight guilt, that stays with me, even after the brief conversations end. We should be together! It's times like these that I have to work at not being sad. I remind myself how lucky we are to have one another, even if we aren't in the same place. Just knowing how much I want to be there for him is a reminder of the depth of our love. So I make an entry in my grateful journal - I'm grateful to have a love that touches me deep in my soul. I know I am truly blessed.
One of my constant struggles in this long-distance relationship world is wanting to be wherever I'm not. I've talked about this before - when I'm in Dallas, I want to be in Denver and when I'm in Denver, I'm thinking of all the things I should be doing in Dallas (not the whole time, of course, just when Mike is at work and I'm alone at his house). But while my sweet love is not feeling well, all I want to do is rush to his side and take care of him.
I want so much to be there to comfort him, to make sure he gets plenty of liquids and plenty of uninterrupted rest. I want to fluff his pillows and rub his neck. I know this sounds a little corny but it's especially hard to be apart when the one I love is hurting.
To make matters worse, Mike can't talk without serious coughing and completely losing his voice. So our conversations have been kept very short, with me doing most of the talking, rambling actually.
There's a feeling of helplessness, a slight guilt, that stays with me, even after the brief conversations end. We should be together! It's times like these that I have to work at not being sad. I remind myself how lucky we are to have one another, even if we aren't in the same place. Just knowing how much I want to be there for him is a reminder of the depth of our love. So I make an entry in my grateful journal - I'm grateful to have a love that touches me deep in my soul. I know I am truly blessed.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
More of Life's Milestones
In yesterday's post I mentioned that Mike's daughter graduated from college over the weekend. That in itself, is a major life event. But it was not to be the only momentous event last week.
Soon after I arrived on Wednesday, Mike received a phone call from his daughter's long-time boyfriend requesting that Mike meet him after work. Of course, Mike was hesitant since I had just arrived but it sounded important so he agreed. Can you guess what he wanted? He was requesting permission to propose.
Two days later, Mike's daughter came home from her last final exam to find the stairway filled with long-stem roses, rose petals, and candles. Their favorite song was playing softly in the background. And at the top of the stairs was her sweet love, on bended knee, with a gorgeous ring. Being a very close-knit family, we were invited to witness and share in this touching and romantic moment. Of course I cried. It was all so sweet, ending with a champaign toast.
So now we begin planning a wedding, ironically, not our own.
Soon after I arrived on Wednesday, Mike received a phone call from his daughter's long-time boyfriend requesting that Mike meet him after work. Of course, Mike was hesitant since I had just arrived but it sounded important so he agreed. Can you guess what he wanted? He was requesting permission to propose.
Two days later, Mike's daughter came home from her last final exam to find the stairway filled with long-stem roses, rose petals, and candles. Their favorite song was playing softly in the background. And at the top of the stairs was her sweet love, on bended knee, with a gorgeous ring. Being a very close-knit family, we were invited to witness and share in this touching and romantic moment. Of course I cried. It was all so sweet, ending with a champaign toast.
So now we begin planning a wedding, ironically, not our own.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Time Marches On
I recently returned from another trip to Denver. This time, it was to attend Mike's daughter's college graduation. I never cease marveling over the march of time. Yes, Mike and I acknowledge monthiverseries. We recognize that another birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. has come and gone and we are still living in different states. It's not like we don't realize that time is passing. But at our ages, the majority of our momentous events are lived through our children.
Mike's daughter was a freshman in college when we first got together, so sitting at her graduation was a not so gentle reminder that the years are slipping by. My own daughter is now half-way through her undergraduate work. In fact, she turns 20 on Saturday! I will no longer have teenage children. That may not seem like a big deal but I truly don't feel old enough to have children in their 20s. It seems I was just that old myself.
But there is a positive side to this as well. The relentless passage of time shows me that I've come a long way in managing the emotions of a long-distance relationship. Emotions that I thought would overwhelm me in the beginning. And despite the challenges, or perhaps because of them, our love is still strong.
Mike's daughter was a freshman in college when we first got together, so sitting at her graduation was a not so gentle reminder that the years are slipping by. My own daughter is now half-way through her undergraduate work. In fact, she turns 20 on Saturday! I will no longer have teenage children. That may not seem like a big deal but I truly don't feel old enough to have children in their 20s. It seems I was just that old myself.
But there is a positive side to this as well. The relentless passage of time shows me that I've come a long way in managing the emotions of a long-distance relationship. Emotions that I thought would overwhelm me in the beginning. And despite the challenges, or perhaps because of them, our love is still strong.
Monday, May 18, 2009
How I Found Mr. Absolutely Right
How I Found Mr. Absolutely Right. I read this post today and loved the story. Cindy Parksley wrote with heart and humor about her long-distance relationship. It's always encouraging to hear from others who are making their LDR work.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Embrace The Quality Time
I had a conversation with a friend last Sunday. She's divorced and has 2 young daughters. She's dating a man who is also divorced with 2 young daughters. We were discussing our relationships and all the challenges we face and ironically, she reminded me of one of the major benefits of being in a long-distance relationship.
She and her SO actually work together and see each other nearly every day. At first glance, I would be extremely envious of that. But then she said that despite that, they never really have any time together. Their lives are a balancing act of children, work, ex's...
For Mike and I, our time together is almost exclusively devoted to each other. Yes, we often have obligations that require our time, but for the most part, we participate together. Even when he comes for one of my shows and I'm busy for most of the day, we have dinner together and I know he's in the audience which lifts my performance to a higher level.
So actually, the four or five days a month that Mike and I spend together offer us more time than a lot of people have in proximal relationships. I'm guessing if you took a good look at your own LDR you would find the same thing is true.
So embrace your time together and be sure to make every moment count!
For more helpful tips, be sure to sign up for my free mini eBook 7 Tips for Embracing the Positives of a Long-Distance Relationship at alongdistancelove.com.
She and her SO actually work together and see each other nearly every day. At first glance, I would be extremely envious of that. But then she said that despite that, they never really have any time together. Their lives are a balancing act of children, work, ex's...
For Mike and I, our time together is almost exclusively devoted to each other. Yes, we often have obligations that require our time, but for the most part, we participate together. Even when he comes for one of my shows and I'm busy for most of the day, we have dinner together and I know he's in the audience which lifts my performance to a higher level.
So actually, the four or five days a month that Mike and I spend together offer us more time than a lot of people have in proximal relationships. I'm guessing if you took a good look at your own LDR you would find the same thing is true.
So embrace your time together and be sure to make every moment count!
For more helpful tips, be sure to sign up for my free mini eBook 7 Tips for Embracing the Positives of a Long-Distance Relationship at alongdistancelove.com.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Another Milestone
Yesterday was another milestone in The LDR Adventure of Mike and Ann. It was our 3.5 year mark. I find that so incredible. Not the fact that we've lasted three and a half years together, just that that much time has passed since we hopped on this crazy ride.
I remember when we first began this relationship, I thought my heart would break every time we had to part. I counted the weeks, days, and minutes until our next visit. I truly didn't know how long I could go on feeling that way.
I'm happy to say, that the separations have become easier to deal with. You might be thinking that it's because our love is fading. Not true! Our love is as strong and deep as ever. I would even say it's stronger than it was in the beginning because of all we have had to face to make this thing work. And that's the same reason that it's gotten easier to tolerate. We know without question that we are there for each other and we have the confidence that we can deal with anything that comes our way. And trust me, there have been BIG hurdles tossed in our path.
We still speak with each other every day and we still appreciate each other. We still treat each other with respect. We still want more for each other than we do for ourselves. These are some of the keys to a successful long-distance relationship (and any relationship, for that matter).
So for those of you who may be just starting out, take heart. I know how much it can ache to be apart. But remember, each passing day brings you closer together and it really does get easier.
I remember when we first began this relationship, I thought my heart would break every time we had to part. I counted the weeks, days, and minutes until our next visit. I truly didn't know how long I could go on feeling that way.
I'm happy to say, that the separations have become easier to deal with. You might be thinking that it's because our love is fading. Not true! Our love is as strong and deep as ever. I would even say it's stronger than it was in the beginning because of all we have had to face to make this thing work. And that's the same reason that it's gotten easier to tolerate. We know without question that we are there for each other and we have the confidence that we can deal with anything that comes our way. And trust me, there have been BIG hurdles tossed in our path.
We still speak with each other every day and we still appreciate each other. We still treat each other with respect. We still want more for each other than we do for ourselves. These are some of the keys to a successful long-distance relationship (and any relationship, for that matter).
So for those of you who may be just starting out, take heart. I know how much it can ache to be apart. But remember, each passing day brings you closer together and it really does get easier.
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