Goodbye Waves and Driveways

And, so phase two of our relationship begins: The mission.
Next Wednesday, Justin will be reporting to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah. And, there he will begin his two year mission. Two years! It sounds like such a long time! That's 24 months, or 104 weeks, or 730 days, or 17520 hours, or 1051200 minutes, or 63072000 seconds.
On Sunday, Justin and I had our last day together before he leaves. Since he lives in Edmonton, and I'm in Calgary, it worked better this way. It was a weekend of many emotions. We were happy to be together, but sad about the fact that we knew it would be the last time we'd see each other before he leaves. Funny thing about our last date... two years ago, on this same weekend, we had our very first date.
We decided to only e-mail this week, because talking on the phone, and not seeing each other wouldn't be very good. I am constantly checking to see if I have e-mails, and out of habit, always checking my phone for texts. It's hard not talking to him. We met just over two years ago, and since that time, we have had some sort of contact every day except for a few days when I was in the States that summer, and a week when he was at camp last year. So, we're kind of used to hearing from each other. Ask anyone. Really.
It's been two days. Two difficult days. I feel like everything is quiet. And I don't quite know what to do with myself. But, I have a wonderful family, and friends who have been a great support. I also have the knowledge and testimony that Justin is doing the right thing. I am expecting some major blessings for this. I don't know if that's wrong to say or not. But, I do know that this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do to, and I know that if Justin and I are doing what is right, we will be blessed for it. In one of my e-mails this week, Justin told me: "We can do this together. We can do tough things. We are tough people." On my Granny's fridge, she has a note that says "Tough times don't last. Tough people do. We are tough people." It has been a sort of motto for Justin and I this last month. I look forward to checking more days off my calendar and seeing the growth in both of us. It will be a good (but hard) experience.

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On another note. I have found a new love. Not a boy love. A different love.

Poetry. And sonnets! This one here is one of my absolute favourites.

Sonnet 43, Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight 

For the ends of being and ideal grace. 

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. 

I love thee freely, as men strive for right. 

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. 

I love thee with the passion put to use 

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose 

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, 

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, 

I shall but love thee better after death.