Homecoming = Love

Dodong’s flight arrived at 1030PM. His family picked him up from the airport, which is usually the case. I always waited for my knight in shining dusty desert armor from home (which was only a mere 5minutes away from his).

I had a bit of stuff lined up that evening to keep me busy instead of staring into space and counting down every second: I had a class at AIM (I am currently — for the Nth time — taking Anton Diaz’s Maven Secrets class for Internet Marketing and Professional Blogging) and a spontaneous powwow with my girls from my PSI Heroic class. So I got home a bit later than planned.

After the packed evening, I waited for Dodong, high emotional and very, very anxious. And then he called. He was in front of our house.

FINALLY FINALLY! He home for real after exactly 7 months and 18 days. Little did I know it was perhaps the most dramatic homecoming for us.

Here are the 5 defining moments of his homecoming…

First look

I opened our gate to see Dodong standing there with a bag of Dubai pasalubong for my family. The first look was actually just a blur as I rushed to hug him…

First hug

It felt like the longest hug ever. We were just holding each other for like 10 minutes. My emotional floodgates just burst with tears of joy and disbelief. I felt that everything was just surreal…

First exchange of words

Then Dodong uttered the first words: “Is this for real?” I tightened my embrace to make his feel the reality of the moment. I then said: “Yes baby, this is real.”

First hand hold

I wiped the tears streaming down my cheeks and then stared into his eyes. We took both of our hands and interlocked our fingers, not wanting to let go at all.

First Kiss

Oh wow! How to describe it…I am at a loss for words. For one, it felt as if I didn’t know how to kiss at all. Hahahaha! I did not have any practice for 7 months and 18 days. It was just wonderful! Utter bliss! It was the sweetest kiss that I’ve had in the 7 years and 5 months that we’ve been together.

I am definitely in heaven right now. Thank you Lord (and Emirates!) for Dodong’s safe flight home. I am eternally grateful for him being with me now.

Do you share the same experience when he comes home?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

INDAY'S REASONS

Inday + Dodong: 6,914km away and loving it!

I decided to post this on this very day all because it is out 7th year anniversary. Yes, Dodong and I have been together as a couple for 7 years! Pinch, pinch! Slap slap! It has been that long. And I am proud to say that I love him more today that I did on the very same day 7 years ago.

I do believe that the total of 353 days (as of June 16) of being physically apart has helped our relationship and love (if even quantifiable) blossom to what it is today. And you know why? Here are my top 3 reasons why I love the distance:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder…REALLY!

This is one quote that should be taken seriously. I mean, I am already head over heels inside out in love with Dodong but the distance just made me (and, more importantly, him too!) appreciate US more. I really do think it was really more of him. Teeheehee! Seriously, Inday (yes me!) am the more appreciative (bordering on patronizing one) half of the couple. Dodong was able to recognize how much more important I was to him. Awwwwww! Oo humaba ang hair ko ng sobra! Confidence boosts for me! and oh man, when he first went home after 6 months, DAMN! I've never felt such longing in an embrace oh so tight!
Learn to communicate more

The distance actually forced him to communicate more. I think, me as a woman, am naturally more madaldal. So communication is really my thing: I text, I call, I chat, I email, I talks with him face-to-face. Being a marketeer, I make sure I have all my contact points covered! But with him (I guess with most guys) communication isn't as easy. Of course, we are best friends and we know each other's deepest secrets but we don't get to talk about the day-to-day stuff (especially about work) when he was here. But when he flew far far away, he was forced (in a good way of course) to communicate with me some more. Today, he has learned to share with me about the little things as much as the big things happening in his life
Torture test of faith and trust in each other

It is a torture! But imagine a torture test where good will actually result from it? I have a ton of trust issues coming from my traumatic experience. I had a lot of requirements: from "reporting for duty" (i.e. informing me of his location and a rundown of his companions) to dealing with phone call inquisitions long distance style in the oddest of times (We have to deal with the 4-hour time difference). I do admire Dodong for putting up with all of that. He truly did understand where I was coming from and extended his patience to the Nth power for the true love of me. If I'd do that when he was here, I most definitely think he would've broken up with me a looong time ago. With a whole lot of patience, faith and trust, Dodong and I are still an US
Believe you me, it took quite some time (and buckets and buckets of tears) for me to appreciate my situation now. I did give myself more time to discover the beauty behind the "misfotune" and it worked out pretty well.

PENELOPE'S REASONS

Penelope + Pad Thai: 2,211km away and also loving it!

I still remember the night I first went out with Pad Thai. As in any girl's first date, I was multi-tasking- I was struggling to fix my hair and was texting one of my best friends, Bangkok to Manila, at the same time. Helen was imploring me cancel, believing that nothing good could ever come of it. She texted, "Your phone bills will skyrocket!" as my Nokia beeped ominously.

Of course, it was too late for me. Even at that early stage, I was unwilling to give up a date with Pad Thai just because we didn't share the same zip code. And now, a year and a half later, I don't regret making that decision. Nothing can ever compare to having Pad Thai physically where I am but the circumstances are such that we must roll with it. To make myself feel better, I just focus on the fact that an LDR has some perks that other partners living in the same land mass might never experience. Inday already mentioned points which I absolutely agree with. I'll add two of my own:

We have the best dates ever.

Since our visits come few and between, I noticed that Pad Thai and I do what we can to maximize our time together. This usually translates to special, well-thought out dates. We've done the usual popcorn and a movie routine, but we've also gone island hopping, spelunking, and mountain climbing. I've been drenched at the Songkran (Thai New Year festival) and he's gone food tripping in Bohol and Binondo. More than just the wow and kilig factor, these have caused us to bond stronger. For instance, Pad Thai and I almost got lost in the dark during mountain climbing and we had nothing to rely on except our partnership.

LDRs are good for character building.

Better individuals make for better partners, right? During our first few months together, Pad Thai made like Big Brother and constantly monitored my moves. There was even one instance when he frantically contacted a common friend to check on me when I didn't reply to his texts (my phone batt died). The trust issue was something we worked on for quite a while. These days, he does not freak at the drop of the hat and I am more mindful about letting him know about my whereabouts. Let me add that it is tougher to resolve issues remotely than if you are in the same land mass. Being aware of that has made me rethink all the sumpongs, hissy fits, and other satisfying mind games I could have employed when we argue. The LDR forces us to cut through the crap and focus on the real issues.

How about you: what are your reasons for loving the distance?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay and Penelope