Leaving Angel (Temporarily)

So, I know it hasn't been that noticeable, because I had scheduled posts, but I've been away from home this week. I've been away and Angel hasn't. The thing is, we planned our trip to Minnesota months in advance, saying the whole time that it would be our vacation instead of going on a family vacation with my relatives to Bois Blanc Island. I've been to BBI many times with my family, but for several reasons we decided to skip it this year. Angel is starting grad school on the 20th. He's taking online classes, and only a part-time course load so this is going to be a long, three-year journey for us. I doubt traveling will be easy with both school and work schedules to juggle, so I really wanted a vacation for the two of us before it began. Plus, my grandparents weren't too sure there would be any room for us in the cabin they stay at anyways, so we just decided to go to Minnesota and not worry about BBI or the family vacation.

 Happier Times. Both of us on the island, last year.

Only then, after we got back from Minnesota, my grandparents and brother left for the island. And I started wishing I was with them in God's Country (yeah, that's what we call it. It's that good). How in love I am with that little bit of land. My aunt called and, wouldn't you know, tried to talk me into coming up to the island with her when she left. My grandparents were staying for a full three weeks, but she was only going for a week. It wouldn't work, though, because I didn't have a car to drive to my aunt's house (my car was in the shop for five days getting a new fender). So once again, I put aside my longing for the island.

And then Angel said, "I could drive you to her house." And come back and pick me up the next week, on whatever day he's not working. Really? I thought. But it seems a little heartless to leave my husband at home to work while I go on vacation. Angel blustered, "It'll be fine. I'll go play basketball every night, I'll watch tv, eat at McDonalds, I'll have the whole bed to myself, it'll be fun!"

I called my aunt, figured out the logistics, and baked about 70 cookies to make up to my grandma for surprisingly showing up at their cabin after months of saying that I wasn't coming. There's limited space for an extra family member, so I squished a week's worth of everything I need into a carry-on and found Angel's sleeping bag.

At the last minute, Angel came to me and hugged me, saying, "Basketball and TV and Burger King--none of it is worth it. I want you! Staying with me, always. It's not worth it."

 Why yes, we are sitting on lawn chairs in the middle of a lake.

I could have cried. Is my beloved island worth it? Worth missing a week of life with my husband--and who knows how many weeks we have together? I don't know. But I still went. BBI is in my blood, and I couldn't pass up the chance to go after all the plans had been made. There are still cellphones, and facebook. It's like 2010 again when we were in a long-distance relationship. Oh I miss him. I love my island but I think Angel and I were made to stick together for future vacations and trips. We'll be together again soon, Love!