Does Absence Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

[MarieT03]

I have a lot of experience, too much really, being absent from my DH.  He served six and a half years active duty in the Navy.  It was suppose to be only six years but he was given a six month extension.  I was 16 and he was 18 when he went active duty.  I'm certain that no one expected our relationship to last since we lived on opposite ends of the country and sometimes opposite ends of the world.  That was 18 and a half years ago and we've been married for more than 13 years.  The longest we were ever separated was 18 months.  When he came home, the first thing we did was get married.  I'm certain people thought we were crazy.  We didn't care what they thought; we knew that we our love was always going to last, no matter what.  So does absence make the heart grow fonder, yes it does.  But absence from the one you love does much more than make the heart grow fonder.  It makes you appreciate even the little seemingly insignifcant things about each other.  It makes you realize that some things just don't matter.  For example, I'd much rather pick up his dirty clothes every day than not have any of his dirty clothes to wash.  His dirty clothes means that he's here!  I've heard numerous people complain of dirty clothes in the floor, but not me.  I'm happy to have them there.  I'm happy that there's the occassional glass with melted ice left in the living room.  That means he's here!  I also love that he can "rescue" me from unwanted gifts of mice from the fur babies.  I love that he's here to drag those huge garbage cans down our long winding driveway.  I'm glad he's here to do the lawn and help out with everyday chores.   Mind you, I did not like (and still do not like) being away from DH.  But, something good did come from it.  We cherish each day together even if it's just a day of household chores.  The important thing is that we are together!

[Marwill]

Sep. 27, 2008 at 11:15 AM

That is lovely Marie.