So, for those of you who don't know, let me get you up to speed before I wax lyrical. I was dating this amazing guy for 18 months then, he went to be a missionary for our church and was assigned to Tokyo, Japan. There he was for 2 years, working hard, doing his thing, speaking Japanese...dealing with earthquakes, etc.
Meanwhile, (cut to me) I spent my summer 2009 in Las Vegas, then I went to University in Lancaster, met some great people including my best friend, Jess, and just generally had a wonderful time. So, 7000 miles apart but both having a blast.
2 years later...
SO, Bermuda was obviously incredible! It came at a decent time too. I am somebody who hates waiting around. I like to be busy, busy, busy. I like to have a lot of exciting things lined up one after the other. My easter break took me to fulfil the dream of a lifetime in Washington DC where I stayed with dear friends Keith and Susannah...
After easter was the rush of exams and my Driving test (which I failed). After that, I came home, my friend Amanda was Baptised...
After that, we jetted off to Bermuda. We were due to arrive home on Thursday 7th July. Ieuan was set to come back from Japan on July 5th. DO you have ANY idea how time would have dragged had we been in the country instead of Bermuda?? Once you've waiting for 2 years to see somebody, you often here the phrase "...a few more days won't kill you." How true. It's not in the nature of days to be murderous but oh, if they could be! I was excited to see him again but so grateful for an exciting event that I could enjoy that would occupy my time sufficiently. On Tuesday 5th July, we were at St George's enjoying our penultimate day. I got a text from Martin Guy saying "We've got him- he looks good!" (Cue to join in the excited screaming...." AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) It was a weird feeling. Elder Guy was home. He was in England. Not in Japan.
It is difficult to sum up one's feelings when you've lived a certain way for 2 years and then things change suddenly. I think, what I felt most of all, was a profound sense of gratitude. It's wonderful to be involved in missionary work in any way and I feel so blessed to have been supporting this missionary. Jess and I stayed up at night having chats about what things might be like and how things might have changed. Now, my plan was that, when we arrived home from Bermuda, Ieuan would call and we would talk about when we'd see each other the following day. We landed at about 7am, got home at about 10am and then I spent the rest of the morning sleeping. At around 1:30-2 ish, I got a text from Martin saying "Don't expect Ieuan to call because he wants his first conversation with you to be face to face." I completely understood but I was going crazy. This boy was currently an hour away from me but I wasn't going to be speaking to him and I'd have to wait until the next day to see him. I hate coming across as a crazy, psycho girl but there are certain levels of excitement that are hard to control!! My Daddy said to me "Do me a favour, get on a train and go and see him now but don't keep going on about it." I love my Dad. So, with his endorsement, I went on my way. I hurried around, packed my bag, did my hair and strived to refresh my jet lagged self. I then got on a train. I was wetting myself with excitement. I literally couldn't believe what was happening. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was texting Jess, Jess, Kirsty and Mumma at the time- getting the different perspectives, getting their advice, relishing in the moment...you know, you know? It was SO exciting. I had forgotten my i-pod so it was a long train journey watching flat fields zoom past. Not fun. I read over a couple of Ieuan's last letters and sat and pondered. I had no idea what to expect. Not a clue. I had a lot of people telling me things wouldn't be the same and that he would have changed. Deep down, I felt things wouldn't really have changed but I was very aware that 2 years of writing to a missionary was very different to 2 years of writing to your boyfriend. It's not like you spend the 2 years investing time into building a loving and lasting relationship....you may build on your friendship but romance is out, really. So, I was unsure of how things would be- of how he would be. 2 years is a long time. A really long time.
Martin met me in Ely and we drove home. The entire journey was spent with my head in my lap, breathing deeply and fighting the nausea that overcame me. I had NO idea what was going to happen. I was scared, excited, nervous...all of the above! When the car stopped in the courtyard, I couldn't even look up. With a reassuring hand squeeze, I got out of the car and walked into the house with Martin. Teresa came over and gave me a hug and then I saw Richard. Widge is like my brother...I love him loads and he had really looked after me over the last couple of years.
We went to the Cambridge open day together the following day and then the family "welcome home" party on saturday and his homecoming talk on sunday. It was all brilliant and overwhelming and...surreal. We have done some fabulous things since and...well...we just love being together! It's been such a fun summer!
In reflection, these last 2 years were the best to date. I have done so much and have had so much fun. I am so glad to have Ieuan back though! We're best friends, we love each other a lot and have a lot of fun.
SO, sorry for the blow by blow but I have a lot of friends that I know wanted to hear the whole story but I've not had a chance to tell it!
