Surprise, Surprise!

Haven't I just had the best two weeks!

     My sailor was so sneaky and surprised me with a visit home hardly one week after his scheduled visit! How lucky am I! It played out as something I had only ever dreamed about. It was a perfectly normal Thursday. Work was nothing more than usual, aside from the pouring rain outside. I was quietly shifting through my files when my office b-f-f Steph got called by the receptionist. She turned to me after hanging up and said, "Tiff just said to send you up front..." A request like this is odd, since I only ever go up front to cover Tiff's lunch, which I already did that day. I thought that maybe it would be to cover for her because she was called into her supervisor's office. Seemed to be the only logical explanation. Steph smelled something fishy and was concerned so she walked up front with me. I wasn't as bothered by it so I just shrugged it off and headed up front. I can still picture what I saw when I turned into the doorway to the reception area. I saw a blonde-haired blue-eyed sailor in dress whites with a small bouquet of flowers, grinning from ear to ear. I could not even fathom what was in front of me. I turned around and looked again before asking, "Is this real...is this really happening?" I hesitated to walk around to the front of the counter; I was in such shock. Steph said, "What are you waiting for! Go up there, hug him!" She was just as amazed as I was. I would often sit at my little desk and day dream of Anthony surprising me by showing up at my office. Now here he was, step by step making my dreams come true. I couldn't have done that better myself. I made my way around to hug him, still in a state of disbelief that he was before me. I showed him around my office and introduced him to my co-workers who had only heard stories about him. It was such a wonderful moment in our history together.
     Phew! That was a long paragraph. Anthony was able to come home again so soon because of his transition to the Norfolk base. They gave him two days of travel time, which occurred in conjunction with a weekend and a holiday. It was truly a gift from God that the timing fell so perfectly. He had a five day visit after having a weeks stay not long before. It was great seeing Anthony again. We hung out a lot together just doing normal couple things. We had sleepovers and I cooked him dinner, we played video games and did recreational activities. We had a great time as his dad's Memorial Day bbq. We played darts, pretended to golf, played soccer and frisbee, and rode dirt bikes. My body still hurts from all the activities. Then we relaxed with a drink or two by the bond fire. It was such a nice weekend. Anthony had his car so he drove everywhere and paid for everything. It really was like we were a normal couple. 
    But who wants to be normal? In small doses it is quite nice, but who wants to be normal these days? Not that being a normal couple is a bad thing, I just think its a little too hum-drum for me. I had the opportunity to have a normal relationship with another man but I chose not to. I wanted the exciting life of Anthony, even before he was in the Navy. The Navy has only spiced up things. It has opened the door for new things to happen with us and I can only be grateful for that. As much as it sucks to not have Anthony around whenever I want him, I think that is a unique obstacle. One that we have over come thus far and continue to be triumphant over. Anthony and I have always said that we are not a Navy couple. We're aren't the like those who get married as soon as they come out of boot camp simply to get on base housing and a bigger paycheck. We're going to do that because that's what we wanted to do even before the Navy perks. 
    As of now, my sailor is safe and sound on his ship in Norfolk (fortunately, said ship will not be leaving port any time soon). He arrived this morning and has been getting acquainted all day. I hope this can finally give him some satisfaction with his decision to join. He has been taking it pretty hard that he had to leave home behind once more, too. It's something that I have come to terms with. It is always going to hurt, everytime. There's no changing that. What we can change is how we react. We can either be horribly heart broken, or we can be excited for the new adventure at hand. It will take some time to heal, I know. It always does. At least we can get a grip on the situation and avoid depression and mental instability. Luckily I have managed to build up an immunity to this emotional trauma. I can enjoy Anthony being home and being away; especially now that he has a ship to tend to and new friends to make. I might be more excited than Anthony is! I just hope his new shipmates play nice. I don't want to hear any stories of hazing or by God I'll come down there and teach those boys a lesson!

Welcome to the Military

Gah!
    
    When will it end? When will we ever know what is really going to happen? The day before that's when. In the military nothing will ever be known for certain until the moment it happens. Which totally stinks when you're trying to plan a life. First order of business, Anthony's orders have been recalled. He is no longer headed to Bahrain because he is not a "second class swimmer". They're just going to take someone who is already qualified rather than give Anthony the test to become qualified. I'm not really upset about that but I know my sailor was getting ready mentally for this voyage. We thought he finally had a direction until then they put the kebash on that. He was being such a good sailor and getting in touch with the command over there to see what was up. I feel so bad. They just can't seem to cut Anthony a break. By word of mouth, he said that they told him he would be going to Virginia still. This is not on paper yet so it's very unofficial. His previous orders are still accurate as of right now until they hand him the new ones. However we do know that they have been dismissed. 
    On a happier note, my sailor came home for a visit! Yayy! I was so happy to see him! His mom and I went to get him at the airport Thursday night. I remember feeling so nauseous watching each minute tick by. As the seemingly endless sea of passengers exited the gates I felt like I could throw up. None of them were Anthony and I was beginning to wonder where the heck he was. Then I saw a shimmer of blonde hair. I almost lost it. The only thing that stood between me and my favorite person was that damn cylindrical glass door thingy. I could almost break it if I wasn't weak in the knees. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was over in a flash, Anthony came through the glass door and was immediately greeted by his mom. Then he came over to me and we hugged so tight for so long. I made a scene in the middle of the airport by crying on him for like ten minutes. 
    My sailor's visit home was absolutely wonderful. I stayed with him that night he came him, then we headed to Wildwood the next morning for our two-night stay by the sea. It was really nice to have him with me. Just us for awhile. Some good time to bond and be together. It makes me fairly upset that it didn't last very long and was over in the blink of an eye. It's truly not fair. It almost feels like none of it even happened. After the weekend we came home on Mother's Day to see our moms. The rest of my sailor's time home would be spent with me, his mom, his dad, his brother and anyone else who could find time to say hello. It's moments like these when we appreciate the time we have with those we love.
    Now I wish I could go back and do it all over again. It all happened so fast I can hardly believe my sailor was home. I miss him so much. I know in the end this will all be worth it. It's just so darn hard to deal with until then. The way time moves he will be done his years in the Navy sooner than I expect. Words cannot express my joy when I had my sailor in my arms. Neither can words express my sorrow as I had to force myself to drive away from him. It is one of the hardest things I have had to do. I never ever want to voluntarily abandon him as he watches me fade into the distance. It tears my hear completely in two. My only hope is that he will make his way to Virgina and thus back home on the weekends. 
    In other happier news, while Anthony was home he and I made our way to the jewelry store. Guess who put in an order for an engagement setting? Anthony did! And he cringed as he slowly opened his wallet and let the moths out. It's rose gold and custom sized for my tiny hands. Anthony will do his diamond homework and pick one out on his own. I will pick up my setting when the jewelers call and then send it down to Anthony when he has a stable address. Then he can put the finishing touches and brace himself for the other moment we've all been waiting for!

 

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For!

Orders, finally!

    Hooray! Anthony won't be bored cleaning anymore! Thank God. It's about time they were ready to give him something more constructive to do. By the end of this month of May my sailor will be at his new base in Virginia Beach. It's much closer than Goose Creek, which means he'll be able to come home on the weekends! Just in time for summer and no school! I might actually get to see Anthony a few times a month. That would be such a big stress relief. I'm always worrying about him, I get that trait from my mother. She has got to be the biggest worry wart outside of South Philly. Darn Italians. Anyway, I'm so looking forward to this. I dont even mind his deployment location in the Persian Gulf, either. Possibly sometime in October he'll be shipped over seas for a tour, I suppose. I'm very excited that he is going to be out in the world doing something. I am a little conerned for his safety, of course. Being nestled in between Iraq, Iran, and Saudia Arabia doesn't sound very safe. Anthony's dad also said my sailor mentioned a gun ship. Anthony only told me he was doing coastal patrol. Who knows, it's too far away to know yet.
    As with good news there is always bad. Remember when I said that Anthony was planning to come home soon and we had a new plan all mapped out? Yea well once again a wrench has been thrown into the works. As Anthony was reading his orders to me his separation date rang a bell. According to his orders he is supposed to be separated from NNPTC while he is home on leave. My first thought was his orders were printed before he put in for leave but they didn't arrive until after he was approved. That seems to be the most logical. Why else would they schedule it for that day? You would think they would arrange it for before or after his leave. Before would have been great since then my sailor wouldn't have to take leave. There is about a two week gap from his separation date to his arrival date at Virginia. He could have just come home during that time and saved his days.
    So once again plans are suspended until Anthony talks with whoever he needs to to clear this up. He talks and acts like he is still coming home. Either he is confident that they will be willing to move things around or he is in denial. I, myself, can't get excited about his visit anymore. I'm way to nervous that they'll tell him he can't come home. Then I'll have to cancel the hotel reservations and lose money. It's not much but its just like throwing 65 bucks out the window. I want so badly to be excited and joyous that my sailor will be home soon but I just can't get in the spirit. That looming cloud of uncertainty is very nerve-wracking. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I just want to see my boyfriend of four years, is that too much to ask? 

    On a side note, I got a letter and a phone call from my buddy in boot camp! How unexpected, and wonderful! He is doing well aside from being sore. He said he wants to ride the ranks and eventually be a lieutenant or officer. More power to him!