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!