My fiance left America for three weeks and this is what happened

I had second thoughts about writing this blog post, because in reality three weeks isn’t that long. Couples everywhere go months (or even years) without seeing their partners. 

However, in the three years that Jeffrey and I have been together, I honestly can’t think of another time that we were apart for that long. We even dated long-distance for a time after I graduated, and we usually still saw each other a couple times a week. So when Jeffrey boarded a bus at the beginning of August to embark on a backpacking trip in Scotland, I suddenly found myself with a lot of free time. (Which PS - check out this totally baller status pic of him. And if you haven't already, PLEASE follow his friend Matt's Instagram account.)

Being away from Jeffrey for three weeks was actually, in some ways, pretty wonderful. (Sorry not sorry.) Of course, there were other days when I was counting down the seconds until his return. Now that he’s home, I’ve been reflecting on how these past few weeks went, and here are some of the pros and cons: 

In the spirit of adventure (and some minor injuries) we've decided integrate some hitch hiking in our "walk". We've just crossed the Isle of Skye and are looking for a nice spot to wild camp near Kyleakin.

A photo posted by Matt Cairns (@americanhitchhiker) on Aug 10, 2015 at 12:07pm PDT

HOW IT WAS AWESOME: 

• I savored my time with friends and family. I could write an entire book about how amazing my friends and family are. In just three weeks, I surrounded myself with more people I care about than I usually do in probably three months. I went to a beach in Michigan and a soccer game with co-workers.  I was cooked amazing meals and bonded with new and old friends over beers. I twirled fire and rollerskated with a nine year old (#rascalsummer + see below). I held new babies and spent time with ladies who are expecting them. I got Wendy’s with my parents and Yats with my future mother-in-law. I was reminded that I’m so incredibly lucky to have people who want to be in my life. 

• I strengthened a hobby. I’ve never been one to like practicing. I danced for over 15 years, and I spent most of my time choreographing new routines instead of perfecting my technique. I’ve always played to my strengths, so when I bought a pair of rollerskates on a whim earlier this summer, I realized it was one of the first times I’d actually have to work to be good at something. Watching me skate the first few (or 17) times was probably a highly entertaining activity. I’ve had to swallow my pride and stumble around my apartment complex and fall in front of random joggers. I’m still far from being good, but I can start and stop without needing to hold anyone’s hand and don’t need to wear my knee pads anymore out of necessity, so I’d call that progress. 

Ultimate #rascalsummer

A photo posted by @llgreen_ on Aug 16, 2015 at 10:38am PDT

• I jumped the gun on something potentially terrifying and also fun. Formstack has an awesome remote culture where employees can work from around the world. I have co-workers in Canada, Poland, The Netherlands, East Coast, West Coast - it’s pretty cool how we all work to accomplish amazing things. This November, I’ll be taking advantage of that remote awesome-ness and working from Los Angeles for a week. I’ll be staying in Airbnbs or with friends (Trent, Lara - I’m thankful for you) and working from coworking spaces and coffee shops. I’ve traveled alone for work before, but never on my own accord and never in a city as big as LA. Here’s to new adventures.  

HOW IT WAS NOT-SO-AWESOME: 

• I spent an impressive/embarrassing amount of money. Seriously, woof. Jeffrey and I are really good at having fun on the cheap, especially in the summer. But he is also the cook in the relationship, so when he left I was like “you mean I have to prepare my own food?” Nope. I had actually expressed frustration with him spending so much money on a trip when we’re trying to pay for a wedding. And then I go and spend hundreds on plane tickets and $11 cocktails. I’ll be over here eating my humble pie, thanks. 

• I overworked myself. I love where I work and care deeply about doing the best job I can. So when given more time to myself, it was easy for me to want to answer emails late at night or reflect on new ideas for my team and my career. So easy that I probably did it too much, and by the end of the three weeks I was thinking myself into corners and having small existential crises about things out of my control. Shout out to my poor co-worker Matt for having to listen to my melodramatic musings all the time  - you’re a gentleman and a scholar. 
  
  

• I procrastinated on important decisions. There are a handful of life-related things that Jeffrey and I are trying to sort out as we head into our marriage. Should I join my work’s insurance? When do we want to move in together?  WHAT ABOUT JOINT CHECKING?! Unfortunately, when you only communicate via text or Facebook messenger for three weeks, it’s difficult to have more in-depth conversations, which culminates in me hurriedly trying to elect health coverage on the last possible day because it took two weeks to have a discussion that would normally take thirty minutes. 

When you go to a bar and hang out with a cat instead of your coworkers (photo cred @charlieholcomb)

A photo posted by Eva Christine McKnight (@evachristine09) on Aug 13, 2015 at 3:31pm PDT

Welp. Just realized this post is ridiculously long, so for those of you who actually read the whole thing - thanks for caring. 

XOXO, 
Eva Christine