There are not many things sweeter than coming home. Greeting your pet, snuggling up on your couch, enjoying a cup of coffee, sitting on the porch, sleeping in your own bed. Sometimes, when you’re in between physical homes, “home” becomes more of a person and less of a structure with four walls, a roof, windows, and doors. And when “home” becomes more of a person and less of a place, reunions are oh so sweet, and goodbyes are oh so hard.

Thankfully, we are in the reunion stage. And my heart is smiling brighter than my face.
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Being 851 miles apart from your husband can easily make you very bitter, jealous, and depressed. It can consume and control your thoughts in the blink of an eye. Lonely nights, attending events alone, being a third wheel, dinners for one, phone calls for hours. It is hands down one of the biggest challenges I have faced, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My long distance relationship (and now marriage) has taught me a lot about home. It has taught me a lot about appreciating and living in the moment. It has taught me a lot about Christ.

I am thankful for long distance because it forces my marriage to be built on communication. And sometimes that’s all we have (thank you texting, facetime, and snapchat!) I am thankful for long distance because it transforms eating a sandwich for lunch with your husband on a Monday from mundane to extraordinary. Long distance pushes me to my limits, brings me to my most highs and lows, and forces me to love in ways that I don’t humanly understand how. I may not be able to touch and see and experience day to day things with Kevin right now, but I know he’s always there, loving me from a distance. This reminds me of how Christ loves us and how long distance reminds me of faith. I choose to put my faith in a God that I cannot see, touch, or feel, and He unconditionally loves me “from a distance.” I am thankful for this realization and for this season of life. I pray that we never forget these long distance days apart because they are very much the foundation to OUR story.

And don’t get me wrong, I am over the moon EXCITED about finding ourselves a physical home together very soon. (We already have a realtor, eeeee!) In the same state. In the same city. Finally, in the same home. And as excited as I am to find a home together, move in, decorate, unpack those wedding gifts, etc…I have even greater comfort and excitement in one day living out our eternal home.

If you’re in a long distance relationship, my heart goes out to you. You are not alone, and you can do more than you imagine.

“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” –Colossians 2:5

Here’s a few pointers from a Upstate New Yorker. It’s not easy to drive in snow! Always, drive under the speed limit. Always, always drive cautiously! A must is, stay close to the yellow line. Slush and ice are plowed to the side of the road.. You will be pulled in, in a blink of an eye, if you get to close to the edge of the road. Always, bruah evey inch of snow off your car, before driving. The snow blows onto thr road and other cars behind you. Always, warm your car up before driving. This will hrlp keep your engine running better. Year round tires are a must. Always, keep extra blankets, scarf, hat mittens or gloves in your car, in case you break down. I wish you both the best.