Our First Visit to Charleston

       Just like that it's over. I knew this is just how it would happen. The weekend came and went in the blink of an eye though I actually feel like I was there. Normally when I'm back home from a trip it's like I never left, but this time it's more real. Maybe that's because the drive took 10.5 hours each way and was broken up by staying in a hotel room overnight. So the two night stay in Goose Creek was balanced with one night stays on the way down and on the way back. At any rate, the time with Anthony was so precious and so short its no surprise that I got a little edgy. I needed to squeeze every minute out of this and make it last. When things didn't seem to be working well I got a little frustrated. It was a very emotional visit full of ups and downs, but in the end the ups are what we remember.
       It was so nice to see Anthony. So ridiculously nice. Just being able to touch him whenever I wanted was so indescribably wonderful. I hadn't been able to hold his hand or touch his face or lean my head on him for months. We got to spend a couple nights together snuggling and what not. Having that convenience alone was worth the trip, not to mention all the cool stuff we saw. He looked so cute in his peanut butters and even in plain ol'civilian clothes. He nearly fully recovered from being sick, too, thank God. He looked really good. He was excited to show us all kinds of things and he was really happy we came down to see him. Just in time too, 'cause Anthony was starting to wig out a little down there.
      When his mother and I first got to Goose Creek we settled into the hotel room to take a nap since Anthony couldn't get off base until around four. I woke up in a panic because it was four-fifteen and hadn't heard from him. I texted him and he answered. I'm thinking, now what the hell? He can text and he hasn't told us what to do yet? What's going on? Mind you I was "pms-ing" so I went to instant bitch mode. It was about 4:40 as I attempted to calm down and read when Anthony's mom yelled from the sink area because she saw someone walk by our window. A knock came at the door and she opened it to find Anthony standing there. Being in pms bitch mode still, I was just kind of sitting on the edge of the bed not knowing what to do. Then I felt it comin' on and I started to cry. I teleported from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other in fifteen seconds flat.

       That first night we hung out with his closest buddy Cabunoc. You may remember I mentioned him before. Him, Anthony, his mom and me went down town to walk around, shop, and have dinner. We got to have a drink together at an eatery for the first time, and I had whats called a pizza ball for the first time. It was really good I might add. The next day just me, Anthony and his mom went to Patriot's Point where we toured a destroyer, aircraft carrier, and submarine. They're all old decommissioned vessels, of course, with rust in all the right places. Anthony tried to examine all the little parts and pieces but there's just so much to see we had to make him pick up the pace. We stopped to have lunch back in Goose Creek in between tours and then returned to finish our exploration. After we went to a nearby mall Anthony knows to walk around and have dinner. 

       Unfortunately the last day was the shortest. We got up, packed the car and checked out of the hotel. The three of us headed for the church service Anthony usually goes to. Afterwards we went back to downtown, walked around some and went on a horse carriage tour. We learned alot of neat stuff about Charleston's history. Then we want walking around again to shop a little more before it was time to leave. Anthony had to be back at six for dinner, homework, and watch. It wasn't as sad as when we left him after graduation because we knew we would be back soon. His mom and I still cried though. We watched him walk down the little path and he turned around to see us before he would no longer be visible. Later, while on our way home, Anthony made his normal phone call and said he was upset for awhile after we went our separate ways. He said while he was studying he got a little emotional and someone asked him if he was ok.
       It was a really nice time. I really enjoyed being with Anthony again. Thanks to his understanding mom, we got to have a little alone time to boot. I can't wait until next time. Good thing its only a few weeks away! Yes, weeks! November 16th here I come!